Bubble Tea in the UK

Boba tea is now available right across the UK, and Bubble Tea shops are opening at a rapid pace.

What's next for Bubble Tea in the UK?

As we have discussed in previous posts, such as Bubble Tea Instagram Hashtags – 5 More to Follow, bubble tea is taking the world by storm and no matter what name you know it by (milk tea, pearl tea, or boba), there is no doubt that it is here to stay. So here we will look at bubble tea in the UK, how the industry has grown, and how it is set to grow in the future.

The Last 5 Years – Bubble Tea in the UK

The UK was one of the last markets that pearl tea broke into after becoming a hit in South-East Asia. After originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, it exploded in popularity across the globe, and once the trend took hold in the UK, it was an instant hit. 10 years ago, a boba was almost unheard of in the UK. Yet nowadays, you can spot a cup of bright colours and distinctive pearls when walking down any high street.

The statistics bear this out, and the industry saw a 6.3% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) in the UK over the last 5 years. This equates to a 35% total growth over the period, which is an impressive display. Driven by the millennial demand for sweet and customisable dessert drinks and the interest in new and exciting cuisines, the popularity of bubble tea in the UK looks set to continue into the future.

Looking to the Future

Whilst growth in the UK boba market has been strong over the last few years, as a stroll through any major UK city centre could tell you, the market looks set to get even stronger in the future. According to a market study, the UK bubble tea market is set to grow at 8.5% CAGR over the next 10 years. This represents a 50% growth in the size of the market over the next 5 years and a 225% growth over the next decade.

What does this mean? Other than the UK getting more and more of its favourite pearl tea-based drink, there is a great opportunity to get in on the action.

Want to Start Your Own Bubble Tea Shop?

The UK market is growing fast, and at Taipec, we are here to help you on your journey towards bubble tea shop ownership. In previous blog posts, we explored:

  • How to start a bubble tea shop
  • The most important considerations for your bubble tea shop
  • How many people does it take to run a bubble tea shop

Head over to our blog section to read these and a host of other helpful articles!

Interested? Get in contact with us today.