Alcoholic
Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic Drinks in Ireland

Ireland

Euromonitor International's Alcoholic Drinks in Ireland market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

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Tables: 163  |  Publication date: Feb 2010
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Executive summary

Recession brings the Celtic Tiger to its knees

Ireland has continued to move through its worst recession on record, with the economy having experienced the fastest contraction of any country in the developed world. Early-2009 brought estimates that the economy would contract by 4% over the year, though some sources suggest that this could be far greater, and that Irish government would increase from 41% of GDP to 58% in 2009 and to 70% the following year; far exceeding the EU limit. One of the central reasons suggested for the dire situation is the domestic housing contraction which is occurring simultaneously. Unemployment is now expected to rise to over 17%, which is closely bound to the dramatic falls in the construction industry, as well as significant declines in most parts of the economy, culminating in increasing job uncertainty, repossessions and falls in consumer confidence.

Drinks market in free fall

In light of the extended and severe recession, the alcoholic drinks market has continued to see significant declines, which were not aided over the review period by changing consumer tastes, new legislation concerning the consumption of alcohol and new social trends such as cocooning, all of which have also been tied to the state of the economy, as high house prices over much of the review period have been suggested as a factor driving cocooning, where people prefer to stay at home over venturing to pubs; new legislation has been passed by the government to address the social and health problems of binge drinking; and changes in consumer taste have been driven by high levels of immigration, particularly from eastern Europe. These factors were all slowing growth in may parts of the alcoholic drinks market already by the end of the review period, though the current economic crisis has played a crucial role in driving the market into the negative as consumers cut back on spending and going out.

Diageo stays at head of market though market falters

Diageo Ireland remains the clear leading producer of alcoholic drinks in Ireland by a fair stretch; however, advances made by smaller competitors have continued to see the erosion of its market share, while the current recession and slowed market have only contributed to its tougher trading environment. The company’s portfolio spans a large range of products and it has competitors on many fronts. Since many of its most important products are highly dependent on on-trade sales, the rise in the cocooning trend – arising for a variety of reasons- has been particularly punishing on the player, as off–trade sales see greater interest at the expense of the on-trade.

Supermarkets the steadfast rock

Sales of alcoholic drinks in Ireland shifted over the review period from the on-trade to the off-trade. Key to this move has been the abolition of the Groceries Order in 2006 allowing below-cost selling. As a result, supermarkets/hypermarkets have been competing strongly between themselves, often using alcoholic drinks as loss leaders. While this has seen the stores’ sales of alcohol increase steadily, on-trade establishments have suffered. Furthermore, the pricing levels are impossible for specialist retailers to compete with, contributing to a similar fall in sales. In addition to this, the rising cocooning trend, which gathered pace over the review period, inspired further clear changes in the shape of the overall market, as social and economic factors caused more consumers to elect to drink at home thus encouraging the off-trade.

A forecast in troughs

Despite the Irish government paying out the highest amount proportionally in terms of an economic bail-out to its crumbling private players, the economy is not expected to show any signs of recovery till the end of 2010, and only if stimulus measures are at least maintained, if not increased. Irish economic recovery also crucially relies on the global economy. Although widespread improvements are predicted to become apparent in 2011, it is expected that Irish output per head will only be restored to 2007 levels by 2015 according to some reports. Other reports suggest that consumer confidence has passed it slowest point and that certain services and manufacturing are already showing small signs of improvement, though these predictions also consider the possibility of a “double trough” recession.

Table of contents

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN IRELAND : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Recession brings the Celtic Tiger to its knees

Drinks market in free fall

Diageo stays at head of market though market falters

Supermarkets the steadfast rock

A forecast in troughs

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Ireland’s double dip

Consumers pull down their shutters

Guinness strives to remain stout

Specialist Retailers

Summary 1 Leading Specialist Retailers 2008

LEGISLATION

Table 1 Number of On-trade Establishments by Type 2004-2008

TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES

Table 2 Taxation and Duty Levies on Alcoholic Drinks 2009

Table 3 Typical Wholesaler and Retailer Off-trade Mark-ups by Selected Sectors 2009

Table 4 Selling Margin of a Typical Beer Brand 2009

Table 5 Selling Margin of a Typical Wine Brand 2009

Table 6 Selling Margin of a Typical Spirits Brand 2009

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 7 Retail Consumer Expenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2004-2009

MARKET DATA

Table 8 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 9 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 10 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 11 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 12 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2009

Table 13 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2009

Table 14 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume 2009

Table 15 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value 2009

Table 16 Company Shares of Alcoholic Drinks by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 17 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Distribution Format: % Value Analysis 2009

Table 18 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector and Distribution Format: % Volume Analysis 2009

Table 19 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 20 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 21 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 22 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - IRELAND

BULMERS LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - IRELAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Bulmers Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 4 Bulmers Ltd: Production Statistics 2009

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Bulmers Ltd: Competitive Position 2009

COOLEY DISTILLERY PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - IRELAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Cooley Distillery Plc: Key Facts

Summary 7 Cooley Distillery Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 8 Cooley Distillery Plc: Production Statistics 2005

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

FINDLATERGRANTS - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - IRELAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 9 FindlaterGrants: Key Facts

Summary 10 FindlaterGrants: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 11 FindlaterGrants: Production Statistics 2009

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 12 FindlaterGrants: Competitive Position 2009

IRISH DISTILLERS LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - IRELAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 13 Irish Distillers Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 14 Irish Distillers Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 15 Irish Distillers Ltd: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 16 Irish Distillers Ltd: Competitive Position 2009

PORTERHOUSE BREWING CO, THE - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - IRELAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 17 Porterhouse Brewing Co, The: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 18 Porterhouse Brewing Co, The: Production Statistics 2009

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

BEER IN IRELAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Lager price band methodology

Summary 19 Lager by Price Band 2009

SECTOR DATA

Table 23 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 24 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 25 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 26 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 27 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2004-2009

Table 28 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2004-2009

Table 29 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 30 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 31 Beer: Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 32 Beer Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 33 Beer Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 34 Beer Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 35 Beer Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 36 Company Shares of Beer by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 37 Company Shares of Beer by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 38 Brand Shares of Beer 2006-2009

Table 39 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 40 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 41 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 42 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

CIDER/PERRY IN IRELAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

SECTOR DATA

Table 43 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 44 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 45 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 46 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 47 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Volume 2004-2009

Table 48 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Value 2004-2009

Table 49 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 50 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 51 Cider/Perry Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 52 Cider/Perry Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 53 Cider/Perry Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 54 Cider/Perry Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 55 Cider/Perry Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 56 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 57 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 58 Brand Shares of Cider/Perry 2006-2009

Table 59 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 60 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 61 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 62 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

RTDS/HIGH-STRENGTH PREMIXES IN IRELAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

SECTOR DATA

Table 63 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 64 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 65 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 66 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 67 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Volume 2004-2009

Table 68 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Value 2004-2009

Table 69 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 70 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 71 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 72 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 73 Brand Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes 2006-2009

Table 74 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 75 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 76 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 77 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

WINE IN IRELAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 78 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 79 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 80 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 81 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 82 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2004-2009

Table 83 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2004-2009

Table 84 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 85 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 86 Volume Sales of Still Red Wine by Price Segment 2004-2009

Table 87 Volume Sales of Still White Wine by Price Segment 2004-2009

Table 88 Volume Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Price Segment 2004-2009

Table 89 Volume Sales of Other Sparkling Wine by Price Segment 2004-2009

Table 90 Sales of Still Red Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2004-2009

Table 91 Sales of Still White Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2004-2009

Table 92 Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2004-2009

Table 93 Sales of Still Red Wine by Quality Classification 2004-2009

Table 94 Sales of Still White Wine by Quality Classification 2004-2009

Table 95 Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Quality Classification 2004-2009

Table 96 Wine Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 97 Wine Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 98 Wine Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 99 Wine Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 100 Wine Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 101 Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 102 Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 103 Brand Shares of Still Light Grape Wine 2006-2009

Table 104 Company Shares of Champagne by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 105 Company Shares of Champagne by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 106 Brand Shares of Champagne 2006-2009

Table 107 Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 108 Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 109 Brand Shares of Other Sparkling Wine 2006-2009

Table 110 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 111 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 112 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 113 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

SPIRITS IN IRELAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Vodka, gin and other blended Scotch whisky Price band methodology

SECTOR DATA

Table 114 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2004-2009

Table 115 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2004-2009

Table 116 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 117 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 118 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2004-2009

Table 119 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2004-2009

Table 120 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2004-2009

Table 121 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2004-2009

Table 122 Sales of Other Blended Scotch Whisky by Premium/Super-premium Split 2004-2009

Table 123 Sales of Gin by Premium/Super-premium Split 2004-2009

Table 124 Sales of Vodka by Premium/Super-premium Split 2004-2009

Table 125 Sales of Flavoured vs Non-flavoured Vodka 2004-2009

Table 126 Spirits Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 127 Spirits Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 128 Spirits Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 129 Spirits Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 130 Spirits Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 131 Whisk(e)y Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 132 Brandy & Cognac Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 133 Vodka Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 134 Gin Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 135 Rum Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 136 Tequila Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 137 Liqueurs Production: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 138 Company Shares of Spirits by National Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 139 Company Shares of Spirits by Global Brand Owner 2005-2009

Table 140 Brand Shares of Spirits 2006-2009

Table 141 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2009-2014

Table 142 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2009-2014

Table 143 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2009-2014

Table 144 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2009-2014

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