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Do Milkmen Still Exist?

Get all the information you need to know about the resurgence of milkmen and why a doorstep delivery service could be the helping hand you need.

When you think back to childhood, some of the most nostalgic sounds might include the gentle hum of the electric milk float and the clinking of glass bottles as the milkman made his early rounds. For many, it was a suburban dawn chorus - a comforting ritual signalling the start of the day.

Fast forward to today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world and you might wonder: Do milkmen still exist?

 

How Long Have Milkmen Been Around?

The first official milk rounds in the UK started in the late 1800s, with milkmen using horse-drawn carts to transport fresh dairy from farms to homes.

In 1932, the Express Dairy Company introduced the first electric milk float. As they were quiet and simple to operate, they revolutionised deliveries and allowed the service to expand to new areas. From then on, milkmen became pillars of local communities - especially during World War Two, providing a sense of familiarity in such an uncertain time.

 

Does The Milkman Still Exist Today?

From the rise of supermarket delivery services to changes in shopping habits, a lot has changed since the 18th and 19th centuries. Therefore, you might be wondering if milkmen still exist.

It will probably come as no surprise that there has been a reduction in people using doorstep milk delivery services between 1995 and 2020, with the share of the retail milk market declining from 45% to 3%.

However, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported a substantial increase in milk deliveries during Covid. This could have been for a variety of reasons, from people trying to support local businesses, avoid busy supermarkets or unable to leave the house to go shopping.

Today, milkmen have adapted to modern life in many ways, using electric vehicles or even bikes to get from door-to-door and apps or websites to organise their deliveries. Many also offer other essentials such as eggs, yoghurt and bread to make sure you’re always stocked up.

Whilst we might still hear the term ‘milkman’, many use ‘milk delivery services’ or ‘milk rounds’ nowadays. After all, many amazing women take on these roles, too!

 

What are the Benefits of Using a Milk Delivery Service?

A 2020 survey by AHDB revealed that some of the key reasons people opt to use a using a milkman are:

  • To support local businesses (70%)
  • Convenience (54%)
  • Better quality (39%)
  • To support British dairy farmers (36%)
  • Sustainability (32%)

But how exactly does a milk delivery service help provide some of these benefits?

Convenience

There’s nothing worse than going to make your morning coffee or breakfast for the kids and realising you’re all out of milk. Or being so busy with the school run, work, driving to and from extracurricular activities that the thought of tackling the supermarket is enough to break you out into a cold sweat.

Signing up to a milk delivery service is a convenient, hassle-free way to tick one thing off your to-do list - without even having to leave your house. Say goodbye to black coffee or porridge made with water - the milkman will make sure your fridge is always stocked.

Sustainability

One of the best things about doorstep deliveries is that you can choose your quantities based on your household habits and reduce the chance of overbuying and wasting milk. Not only is this better for the environment but it can also help you with your food budgeting too.

But that’s not all - many milk deliveries offer glass bottle returns and use electric vehicles, helping to reduce plastic waste and have a little less impact on the environment than your usual food shop.

Quality and Freshness

Over 70% of people reported using a milk delivery service to help support their local farmers, but this can also help them in-turn.

Perhaps one of the most appealing benefits of getting milk delivered is that it’s fresher than what you’d find on supermarket shelves. Not only does that mean that it could last longer - helping to reduce food waste - but you’ll also notice a difference in taste and quality.

 

So, if you were thinking about supporting the revival of the milkman, our milk delivery service is ready and waiting to make your life easier. Explore our locations today and get ready to enjoy fresh milk without even having to step outside your front door.