Retail Intelligence Mini Report: Cheese Mar-25

Market Trends: Tridge’s brand analysis highlights diverse cheese market dynamics across countries. In the US, 365 by Whole Foods Market leads with a 25% share, though niche brands indicate demand for specialty products. The UK is more consolidated, with Sainsbury’s dominating at 70%, reflecting strong retail influence. Italy and France have fragmented markets, where 15 and 14 brands, respectively, hold 5% to 15% shares, showcasing local brand loyalty alongside competition from global players. Meanwhile, China, Australia, South Korea, and Germany exhibit a moderately balanced market, providing both consumer choice and market stability.

Noteworthy Products: Seoul Milk Multipack Mozzarella Pizza Cheese is popular in South Korea for its balanced saltiness, rich flavor, and convenient small-portions, ensuring easy use and hygienic storage. Its shredded form makes it versatile for various dishes, whether sprinkled on top of pizza for a delightful stretchy texture or mixed into creamy dishes to enhance their richness.

Industry News: In partnership with the ProVeg Incubator, Lidl has launched a competition to discover innovative plant-based cheese products, offering startups a chance to scale their products for mass retail. The winning product will be sold under Lidl’s Vemondo private label in selected German stores, providing significant market exposure. Open to end products, ingredients, and production technologies, the competition seeks groundbreaking alternatives, particularly in hard, sliced, meltable, aged, and grated cheeses. Lidl emphasized its focus on high-potential innovations, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its Vemondo vegan product line amid growing consumer demand for plant-based cheese.