Value growth (+6.9%) in the market has outpaced volume growth (-1.3%) over the five years to 2015, reflecting inflationary pressures. The weather and consumers cutting back on the amount of CSDs they drink – with sugar concerns being a key driver for this – have dampened volume growth.

However, expected increase in real disposable incomes in 2015 should feed through to higher consumer spending. This should help to keep sales of CSDs in growth as many users would buy more CSDs if they had more money (See the Consumer - Attitudes towards CSDs).

The off-trade channel outperformed the on-trade in volume sales over the 2010-15 period, echoing the wider trends of consumers cutting back on dining out. However, on-trade volume sales are expected to return to growth going forward, on the back of rising real incomes.

For the purposes of this report, Mintel defines the carbonated soft drinks (CSD) market as covering all carbonated soft drinks sold through the retail and non-retail channels. Data includes sales through the following outlets:

Retail: This includes grocery retail outlets where CSDs are purchased for the purpose of consumption off-premise, comprising supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol forecourts among others.

On-premise: This includes anywhere where CSDs are bought to consume on site, eg leisure centres, hotels, restaurants, fast food venues, cafés, education establishments, the workplace and in the on-trade (ie pubs, bars and clubs).

All mainstream carbonated soft drinks are included in the market size. Diet carbonates are included. Mixers (including tonic water, ginger ale, soda water and bitter lemon) are included. Soda water differs from fizzy water because of the addition of sodium and its status as a mixer rather than a drink to be consumed on its own.

Traditional and adult soft drinks in the off-trade is provided as a separate segment and these are not included in the market size under carbonated soft drinks. Both carbonated and still premium or adult soft drinks are included in the segment size.

Value figures throughout this report are at retail selling prices unless otherwise stated. Market sizes at constant 2015 prices have been devised using Mintel’s food deflator. Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.