Bubble Tea in the UK
Boba tea is now available across the UK, and Bubble Tea shops are opening rapidly.
What's next for Bubble Tea in the UK?
As discussed in previous posts such as BBubble Tea Instagram Hashtags – 5 More to Follow, bubble tea is taking the world by storm. Whatever name you know it by – milk tea, pearl tea, or boba – its popularity shows no signs of slowing. Here, we explore how the bubble tea industry has grown in the UK and what the future holds.
The Last 5 Years
The UK was one of the last markets to embrace pearl tea after it became a hit in South-East Asia. Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, bubble tea quickly gained global popularity. When it arrived in the UK, it became an instant hit. Just ten years ago, boba was almost unheard of. Today, you can spot colourful cups with distinctive pearls on many high streets.
Statistics confirm this growth. The UK bubble tea industry achieved a 6.3% compound annual growth rate over the last five years, resulting in a 35% total growth during that period. Millennials’ love for sweet and customisable drinks, combined with an appetite for new and exciting cuisines, has driven this success. The market shows no sign of slowing.
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
Whether you're just getting started or planning to scale through bubble tea wholesale, we’re ready to support you. Head over to our blog section to read these and a host of other helpful articles!
Interested? Get in contact with us today.