It may not always be morality driving the vegan explosion – Rich Hobday looks at the brands cashing in on the lifestyle

From Tesco and Greggs to Waterstones and McDonalds, it seems that an increasing number of our favourite brands are monetising the vegan movement to an unprecedented degree. The meat-free food market is worth almost £600 million in the UK, a figure that’s set to rise to nearly £700 million by 2021. Seemingly, businesses are learning that to maximise profits, they must embrace the demands of customers with an ethical inclination, with some having more staggering success than others.

Last year, the UK launched more vegan products than any other nation – with household brands and supermarkets leading the world’s drive towards a more compassionate and sustainable range of products. As such, we’ve seen an increase in the financial rewards of supplying products that cater for the biggest current growth market.

Rise of veganism

According to a report from Waitrose, one in eight Britons are now vegetarian or vegan. A further 21% claim to be ‘flexitarian’, following a largely but not strictly vegetarian diet. That means around a third of Britons are reducing the amount of meat they eat, or cutting it out altogether, highlighting the fierce and unwavering rise of plant-based diet enthusiasts across the world. However, while this might be incredibly beneficial for animals and greenhouse gases alike, there is another sector reaping endless vegan-fuelled rewards.