Off-trade alcohol volumes down, prices up

Off-trade Beer, Wine and Spirits sales volumes were down 8.0% in the year to 27th February compared to the previous year according to NielsenIQ's latest Fast Moving Consumer Goods market update.

 

In the 12-week period to the 27th February NielsenIQ notes a decline of 9.2% compared to a year ago and a decline of 17.1% in the last four weeks to the 27th of February.

According to NielsenIQ’s TSR Total RoI FMCG (Scantrack) data, the declines in Beer, Wine & Spirits accelerated in the latest four-week period, impacted by Minimum Unit Pricing and the lifting of restrictions on hospitality.

“As inflation reaches a 21-year high, we’re seeing consistent price increases across all categories,” states NielsenIQ, “Particularly in Alcohol thanks to Minimum Unit Pricing”.

This is borne out in the 14.7% drop in value for Beer, Wine & Spirits which reflects a 24.3% drop in volume across the multiples, convenience and specialist retailers. This equates to a 12.8% increase in BWS prices.

NielsenIQ breaks this down further, indicating a 16.1% drop in value for Beer set against a 29.7% drop in volume which equates to a 13.4% increase in price equivalents.

Wine showed a value decline of 14.7% set against a volume decline of 18.2% which equates to a price increase of 4.2%.

In Spirits, an 11.8% decline in value on a 9.5% decline in volume equates to a 6.5% price increase.

Alas Valentine’s Day purchasing patterns failed to soften the dent in sales across all products typically associated with the event, with table wine volumes down 28% in the week ending on the 13th of February versus the same week a year ago.

“The introduction of MUP and a lapping of Lockdown a year ago continues to drive declines in Alcohol, down -17% in value in the Last four week period,” notes NielsenIQ, “Although prices are up for all categories, Alcohol sees the highest Year-To-Date price increase of +13%.”