Thanks to price rises and the move towards drinking products with a more expensive price tag, off-trade alcohol sales are steadily increasing year on year, but volumes remain relatively static.   While, on the whole, British drinkers may be buying less, there are some exceptions. The volume of spirits bought, largely fuelled by gin, has increased by 3.8% compared with last…

Adnams has stated 2016 was a record brewing year for the company, with volumes passing the 100,000 barrels mark for the first time in its history. The Suffolk brewer, distiller and retailer achieved sales of £70.3m and £3.9m in operating profit for the 12 months to 31 December 2016, according to its latest results announcement. Commenting on the performance, chairman Jonathan Adnams OBE, said: “Adnams…

Fuller’s craft beer brands are seeing strong growth according to the brewer, which announced its half year results today. The company said operating profit for its craft beers within The Fuller’s Beer Company rose by 8%, although total beer and cider volumes decreased by 4% in the 26 weeks to 24 September 2016. Fuller’s has developed its portfolio of premium brands over the past few…

AB-InBev has reported that it grew UK volume sales “in the low single digits” as it released global Q3 figures showing revenue grew 2.8%. The world’s largest brewer, which has just swallowed SABMiller in a deal branded “megabrew”, said total volumes dropped 0.9% thanks to a poor performance in Brazil. Overall revenues were up thanks to a strong performance for its premium own beers, and…

High duty is the main reason UK spirits volumes are declining, suppliers have said in OLN’s Spirits Report. Fifty-five per cent of spirits suppliers polled exclusively for the report blamed duty for the fall, while 40% pointed the finger at supplier tactics eroding markets and 35% said economic factors outside the drinks trade were to blame. Bill Roberts, general manager and vice-president EMEA…

Fears of a poor 2013 harvest in Spain have not materialised and the country looks set to remain the European favourite for wines at what retailers and producers are euphemistically calling “key price points”. Now the challenge is to ensure it is not seen just as a source of big volumes of cheap wine, but to maintain and grow its image at the top end.

Duty will rise 54% on wine and 31% on spirits in the next six years if the Chancellor does not scrap the duty escalator, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. George Osborne became the toast of the beer world when he ended the duty escalator on beer earlier this year, but escalator remains on wine and spirits. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association launched…