According to the Zenith Global 2019 UK Bottled Water Report[i] the total UK water drinks market (plain water and water plus) increased by 7.1% to reach 4,267 million litres in 2018; breaking through the 4 billion litres barrier for the first time. Combining plain water and water plus, it is plain bottled water that dominates with 87.0% of total volumes. This is the same share that it had in 2017; so both plain water and water plus grew at the same rate in 2018. The UK plain bottled water market increased by 7.7% in 2018 to 3,734.9 million litres.

Plain mineral water had 41.3% of the total market in 2018, and plain spring water’s share increased again to 45.8%, meaning spring overtook mineral in the course of the year.

Sparkling water increased more rapidly than small pack still water in 2018. It grew by 13.8% in volume terms in 2018 as it became increasingly popular as a mixer, and is closer as a concept to CSD’s, offering an elevated drinking experience over plain still.