Pret A Manger Elevates Lunch Offer with Premium £13 Salads Amidst Fierce Office Market Competition
Pret A Manger Elevates Lunch Offer with Premium £13 Salads Amidst Fierce Office Market Competition
London, UK – In a significant move to capture the returning office lunch crowd, Pret A Manger has unveiled a new line of premium salads, branded as “Super Plates,” with prices reaching up to £12.95. The company asserts these offerings are “competitively priced” and represent a strategic response to the evolving habits of consumers seeking larger, more nutritious meal options, particularly on days spent in the office.
The “Super Plates” range features four distinct options, including a chipotle chicken and a miso salmon salad. These new offerings are reportedly 60% larger than Pret’s existing salads and are distinguished by the inclusion of premium ingredients such as kale that has been “hand massaged.” This emphasis on higher-quality components and increased portion sizes signals Pret’s commitment to catering to a segment of the market that views their midday meal as a more substantial treat.
A spokesperson for Pret A Manger explained to BBC News that the introduction of these higher-priced salads is a direct response to “growing demand for larger, nutrient-rich lunch options.” This strategic pivot comes at a time when many companies are encouraging or mandating a return to the office for their employees, reigniting competition in the urban lunchtime market. The most expensive salad in the new range, the miso salmon variant, is priced at £12.95, a reflection, the company states, of a “shift in customer habits” and a growing trend for workers to indulge in more filling lunches during the work week.
This expansion into premium-priced salads follows a period of significant change for Pret, including criticism from customers regarding adjustments to its popular subscription service. Last year, the company altered its model from unlimited daily coffees for a set monthly fee to a more limited offer of discounted coffees. Additionally, Pret discontinued its 20% food discount, citing an unwillingness to remain comfortable with dual pricing systems.
Pret faces a dynamic and competitive landscape, with rivals like Greggs consistently ranking high in customer preference and brand strength, according to data from Statista. Other key competitors, such as Atis, Farmer J, and Salad Project, have already carved out niches by specializing in premium salads and lunches tailored for city-based professionals. For instance, Farmer J offers its “J’s Classic Fieldtray” for £11.50, while Atis’s “Green Goddess” salad ranges from £7 for a regular size to £8 for a large.
Despite the growing trend towards premium lunch options among some urban workers, many consumers remain acutely aware of the ongoing cost of living crisis. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that approximately six in ten adults reported an increase in their cost of living in May, with only 1% experiencing a decrease. This economic backdrop adds a layer of complexity to Pret’s strategy of introducing higher-priced items.
The new “Super Plates” are currently available in over 250 Pret locations across major UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
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