Alcohol prices down 0.4 per cent in year to February

The price of alcohol in the off-trade rose by 2.1 per cent in February compared to January, according to the Consumer Price Index for February 2011.

This comprised an increase of 2.4 per cent in both Beer and Spirits prices and an increase of 1.9 per cent in Wine & Cider prices.

A decrease in prices of 0.7 per cent was recorded for the year to February comprising a drop of 2.6 per cent in Spirits prices, a drop of 1.6 per cent in Beer prices and an increase of 0.6 per cent in Wine & Cider prices.

Overall alcohol prices were up by 0.4 per cent on the January figure and by 0.6 per cent over the three months to the end of February. They fell by 0.4 per cent over the 12-month period to the end of February.

In the on-trade, February’s Beer, Wine & Cider and Soft Drinks prices all fell by 0.3 per cent compared to January while Spirits level-pegged.

Over the 12 months, on-trade Beer prices fell by 0.2 per cent, Wine & Cider prices fell by 0.9 per cent and Soft Drinks & Mineral Water prices rose by 0.1 per cent, with Spirits prices remaining level.

Prices in nightclubs fell by 13.7 per cent in the year and by 0.2 per cent compared to the January figure.