GAIL’s Drops Soy Milk Surcharge Following PETA Campaign

UK bakery chain GAIL’s has decided to eliminate its surcharge on soy milk following a campaign led by PETA, which garnered over 12,000 requests to end the upcharge. Starting from May 21, customers at GAIL’s will no longer have to pay extra for soy milk, although those who opt for oat milk will still face a surcharge. This move aligns GAIL’s with other chains such as Starbucks and Pret A Manger that have already removed plant-based milk surcharges, showing a shift towards accommodating the increasing popularity of dairy alternatives.

The trend of dropping plant-based milk surcharges is also gaining traction in North America, with major coffee chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Tim Hortons following suit. Advocacy from organizations like PETA and Mercy for Animals has highlighted how surcharges penalize consumers for making sustainable choices and fail to consider those who are lactose intolerant. By making soy milk equal in price to dairy milk, GAIL’s aims to make the choice of plant milks more accessible and affordable for its customers, acknowledging the changing consumer preferences and the decline in dairy consumption over the years.