Beer and cider sales slowed a little after the end of the World Cup, but the unusually hot weather has brought sustained growth into August, according to latest figures from NIQ.

Beer and cider value was up 4.8% during the four weeks to August 8 versus the corresponding period in 2025.

This was a slight deceleration from the 6.2% growth seen across the 12 weeks to the same date, a period that took in the whole of the World Cup. The tournament ended on July 19.

NIQ said world and discovery lager – which it described as including “international and less traditional lager brands” – was the main winner in the six weeks to July 18, growing by 13%, compared to just 1.8% for mainstream lager.

Soft drinks have boomed, with value spend of £1.2bn in the four weeks to August 8. Mineral water sales were up 26% and flavoured non-carbonates were ahead by 22%.

Total sales in UK supermarkets increased by 3.1% over the same four-week period, said NIQ, and 25% of all FMCG purchases were made on promotion, as many World Cup-related deals continued into August.

Ocado and Marks & Spencer topped the growth charts, with only Asda seeing a decline, by 1.5%.

Mike Watkins, NIQ’s head of retailer and business insight, said: “Growth has inevitably slowed following the peaks created by the World Cup, while the start of the summer holidays has given many shoppers a reason to delay some non-essential spending.

“Lower inflation than a year ago is also holding back topline growth. Even so, shoppers were still buying more as the heatwaves continued. However, we have seen a clear change in both where they shop and what they put into their baskets.”