In the second instalment of our summer survey series, we asked independent drinks retailers about the trends they were noticing in store. 

Overwhelmingly, the majority of retailers responded that there was a growing appetite for consumer-facing events, allowing independents to differentiate themselves from supermarkets. 

In terms of product growth, the standout category among retailers was still wine, with 58% of respondents identifying it as a growth opportunity. 

This comes at the same time as more English wine producers turn to still wine production, according to WineGB. 

Sparkling wine was also named as important, with 35% of respondents identifying it as an area of growth. 

On sparkling, one respondent noted that traditional-method sparkling that was not Champagne had been popular, while another echoed this by mentioning “lower-priced traditional-method sparkling wine”. 

Meanwhile, the low & no category was also named as a way to drive growth, mentioned by almost 30% of respondents. 

“Low and no continues to see demand,” one retailer said. Another noted, “Low and no is still on the rise”.

Unsurprisingly, rosé wine was mentioned as a summer trend, with one retailer describing a desire for “pale pink rosé without the Provence price”. 

Orange wine also came up repeatedly, alongside a pull toward natural wine. “Orange wine is still a strong category and still has a way to go before it hits its peak.”

Spritzes were also named as a category in demand, with limoncello mentioned by name. 

For beer, retailers said that craft beer continues to pull in customers. “The sheer variety of it all is what appeals to the vast number of people,” explained one respondent. 

An interesting – though not exhaustive – list, the tension between price and product continues to be a theme for independent retailers, with consumers more interested than ever in quality, yet with less disposable income to spend.