Beer and cider sales have risen by 8.8% in the four weeks ending October 7, according to the latest data from NIQ.  Overall, the entire BWS sector experienced a 2.2% rise in sales during the four weeks, compared to the same time period in 2022, and beer and cider saw the highest level of growth. Within the beer category, stout saw particularly strong…

Two English wine producers have reported strong sales growth for the six months to June 30. Chapel Down saw overall net sales lift 21% to £8.4 million, while Gusbourne reported a 24% lift in UK wine sales to £2.3 million. Gusbourne’s overall H1 net revenue was up 12% to £3.4 million, as international sales slipped 7%, owing to “timing of export orders”. Chapel Down highlighted…

It’s not every day you find yourself in the charts with Kylie, but James Halliday, Diageo GB’s commercial director for take-home, appeared among this year’s Drinks Retailing Top 100 Most Influential. Here, he talks to Lucy Britner about consumer trends, brand strategy and working with retailers “Anything to do with the off-trade that remotely touches commercial – that will come to me,” says…

Looking back to this time last year, we were anticipating the impact that a winter football World Cup would have on the beer, wine and spirits industry. Increased secondary display space was given to beer, which translated into an estimated additional £41 million in beer sales leading up to Christmas Day, fuelled by the tournament running until December 18. So, what can we expect for…

NIQ senior analytics executive Jen Purchase looks at the big names in the off-trade cider business, and offers some insights into what’s going on behind the shelves  In the 12 months to April 23, the value of off-trade cider sales (including perry) declined by 2.9%, softened by underlying inflation, as volumes in the period fell by 7.3%. This follows year-on-year decline since the…

English sparkling wine company Chapel Down has reported a 21% boost in sales for the six months to June 30. In a trading update today, the company said net sales in the period were £8.37 million, up from £6.94 million in H1 2022. Off-trade sales rose 25%, with Chapel Down’s market share at 36% in the six months, up from 31% in H1 2022. Citing…

The low and no-alcohol category has continued its off-trade momentum into 2023, growing in value by 11% against the backdrop of a total alcohol category which declined by 2.5%. The drinking occasion for low/no is wider than ever, with more people choosing to moderate their drinking more regularly than ever before. In our recent NIQ State of the Nation survey we found…