RTDs are helping to prop up drinks sales amid wider struggles across the alcohol industry, according to a new report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA). 

As per the WSTA’s new Sip 2 Report, the RTD category grew by 12% in volume and 17% in value over the last year, generating £704m in off-trade sales. 

In contrast, the WSTA said the spirits category lost just under £40m in sales during the three months to 3 January 2026, compared to the previous year, with many consumers shifting towards easier-to-drink options. 

The data revealed that 44% of RTD sales came from consumers switching their purchasing habits away from spirits. 

Commenting on the shift, Miles Beale CEO of the WSTA, said: “It is welcome news to see a bright spot in the sales data. The UK spirits sector has been experiencing plummeting sales following the biggest duty increase in almost 50 years in August 2023. 

“The government’s typically disappointing and shortsighted policy to keep raising alcohol tax in line with growing inflation is delivering less revenue to the Treasury and continues to prolong the doom loop. 

“The WSTA’s new Sip 2 report shows a shift in shoppers spending from traditional alcohol categories to RTDs, as on-the go drinks in smaller packages prove increasingly popular to hard pressed consumers.”