Marika Pratico, NIQ consulting & insights lead, shares the learnings from her organisation’s recent roundtable looking into the evolving consumption landscape As consumer behaviours evolve, the drinks industry faces a pivotal moment. Questions around the blurring of lines between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are very much top of mind. At NIQ we recently hosted a moderation roundtable where industry…

For a long time, Irish cream has been synonymous with the Diageo-owned Baileys. But is the tide starting to change? Lizzy O’Riordan investigates When it entered the drinks market in the early 1970s – then part of the Gilbeys of Ireland portfolio – Baileys was not meant to be a Christmas drink. Instead, according to David Gluckman, part of the founding team, the…

What is the value of certification? That was the question asked to a panel of experts at yesterday’s Sustainability in Drinks event. Lizzy O’Riordan reports on the results  Sustainability certifications are well-intentioned. They’re a promise to the consumer that a producer is trying their best. A commitment from the producer to the earth. But with the dizzying number of options on offer…

Jo Gilbert looks at how Champagne is balancing prestige with price in a pressured market Champagne has long been the ultimate symbol of celebration – a luxury product that commands premium pricing power across the globe. But as UK consumers navigate tighter budgets and cost pressures continue to mount for producers, the category finds itself at a crossroads: how to maintain…

Flavoured drinks have transformed cider and spirits – but can fruit beers and lagers do the same for a beer category in flux? By Rob Hallworth, NIQ In recent years, flavoured spirits and cider have disrupted established categories, attracting a new generation of drinkers. Add to that the rapid rise of RTDs which deliver variety, convenience and a wider array of…

Katie Mather discovers why a new generation of drinkers are choosing cask beer Beer is hard to predict. In an industry where trends have been a major driver for change and growth, consumer desire for new and exciting variations has slowed. In its place remains traditional real ale where it always has been – steadfastly holding up the scene as the foundation on…

Reporting from a whirlwind Cape Wine, Jo Gilbert discovers how old vines and new voices are helping South African wine move up the value chain With Chenin Blanc as its calling card, South African wine has long helped to fill the aisles and coffers of UK supermarkets with affordable wines, with a sprinkling of top estates helping to feather the nest of a…