UK workers increase packed lunches to manage cost of living

A survey conducted by Clariti for online grocer Ocado indicates that UK professionals are increasingly opting for packed lunches to mitigate the rising cost of living. Approximately 46% of workers report bringing lunch to work more frequently than they did a year ago, a trend most significant among those aged 18 to 45, where 64% reported the increase.

Data shows that 69% of respondents find purchasing lunch near their workplace too expensive, while 72% believe bringing food from home assists in managing household finances. Beyond cost, 66% of participants cited nutritional control and calorie tracking as primary motivators.

Ocado reported a 79% year-on-year increase in searches for “lunch bowls” and snacks, alongside a 60% rise in ziplock bag sales. Traditional sandwiches remain a staple, appearing in 52% of packed lunches.