Alcoholic
Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic Drinks in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Euromonitor International's Alcoholic Drinks in the United Kingdom 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.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of volume and value market sizes including on-trade and off-trade, company and brand shares, distribution and pricing data.


Tables: 174  |  Publication date: May 2009
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Product coverage

Beer; Cider/perry; RTDs/High-strength premixes; Spirits; Wine

Executive summary

Beer depresses the market

The UK alcoholic drinks market continued its volume and value decline in 2008. Growth in the cider/perry, wine and spirits sectors was not enough to offset the ongoing decline in beer, the largest sector in the UK market. Demand for beer has fallen as older and more health-conscious consumers switch to wine, and as on-trade volumes shrink thanks to the smoking ban and the ongoing decline in outlet numbers.

Belt-tightening slows growth

The impact of the credit crunch and the consequent decline in consumer confidence, failing banks and falling house prices, rising unemployment and the spectre of recession all had a severe impact on the alcoholic drinks market in 2008. Beer sales in the on-trade are currently at their lowest since the Depression, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). Consumers are economising by foregoing nights out in the on-trade and trading down in the off-trade. The development of a larger premium segment in the wine sector, for example, has weakened considerably.

Pricing polarises the market

The alcoholic drinks market has also seen a growing split in pricing between the on- and off-trade. On trade prices were driven up in 2007 and 2008 by a clampdown on promotional activity, rising costs from taxation and transport, as well as a price hike in hops that could drive the average price of a pint to £4. Prices in the channel have grown at rates far above inflation. Off-trade sales, on the other hand, remain defined by the influence of large chained retailers such as Tesco, whose vast buying power and economies of scale mean they are able to offer extremely preferential price promotions. The gap in pricing is such that consumers are deserting the on-trade.

Chains get heavier

The UK market for alcoholic drinks continues to favour chained grocers such as Tesco, whose development of alternative distribution channels to supermarkets/hypermarkets, such as convenience stores, garage forecourts and in particular on-line sales, gives them the upper hand in every part of the market. This has a severely restrictive effect on average pricing, although the scale and width of offer carried by these retailers means they dominate the majority of price positions in alcohol, with the exception of super-premium products.

Sports events to aid recovery

The market is anticipated to show an erratic pattern of recovery over the forecast period. Beer’s volume decline is set to slow, and the overall market will see a marginal recovery in both volume and constant value terms. These trends will be spurred in great part by the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa (the fact that the host country is on GMT means that kick-off times will fit well with UK drinking patterns) as well as the 2012 London Olympics, where growth is anticipated to come from heightened levels of tourism from 2011 onwards.

Table of contents

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Beer depresses the market

Belt-tightening slows growth

Pricing polarises the market

Chains get heavier

Sports events to aid recovery

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Recessionary fears slow growth

Alcohol crisis?

Ageing demography changes consumption patterns

Market tradition reinvents at speed

Specialist Retailers

Summary 1 Leading Specialist Retailers 2007

Market Merger and Acquisition Activity

Summary 2 Speculated Merger and Acquisition Activity 2007-2008

MARKET BACKGROUND

Legislation

TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES

Table 1 Taxation and Duty Levies on Alcoholic Drinks 2008

Table 2 Typical Wholesaler and Retailer Off-trade Mark-ups by Selected Sectors 2008

Table 3 Selling Margin of a Typical Domestically Produced Beer Brand 2008

Table 4 Selling Margin of a Typical Domestically Produced Wine Brand 2008

Table 5 Selling Margin of a Typical Imported Wine Brand 2008

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Contraband/Parallel Trade

Duty Free

Cross-border/Private imports

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 6 Retail Consumer Expenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2003-2008

MARKET DATA

Table 7 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 8 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 9 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 10 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 11 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2008

Table 12 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2008

Table 13 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume 2008

Table 14 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value 2008

Table 15 Company Shares of Alcoholic Drinks by Global Brand Owner 2004-2007

Table 16 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Distribution Format: % Value Analysis 2008

Table 17 Off-trade Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector and Distribution Format: % Volume Analysis 2008

Table 18 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 19 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 20 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 21 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Sector: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

DEFINITIONS

Summary 3 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - UNITED KINGDOM

CARLSBERG UK LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 4 Carlsberg UK Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Carlsberg UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2007

CONSTELLATION EUROPE LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Constellation Europe Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 7 Constellation Europe Ltd: Production Statistics 2008

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 8 Constellation Europe Ltd: Competitive Position 2007

COORS BREWERS LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 9 Coors Brewers Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 Coors Brewers Ltd: Competitive Position 2007

DIAGEO PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 Diageo plc: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 12 Diageo plc: Competitive Position 2007

E & J GALLO WINERY EUROPE LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 13 E & J Gallo Winery Europe Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 14 E & J Gallo Winery Europe Ltd: Competitive Position 2007

FULLER, SMITH & TURNER PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 15 Fuller, Smith & Turner Plc: Key Facts

Summary 16 Fuller, Smith & Turner Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 17 Fuller, Smith & Turner Plc: Competitive Position 2007

GREENE KING PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 18 Greene King Plc: Key Facts

Summary 19 Greene King Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 20 Greene King Plc: Competitive Position 2007

INBEV UK LTD - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 21 Inbev UK Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 22 Inbev UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2007

MAJESTIC WINE PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 23 Majestic Wine plc: Key Facts

Summary 24 Majestic Wine plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

MARSTON'S PLC - ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 25 Marston's PLC: Key Facts

Summary 26 Marston's PLC: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 27 Marston's PLC: Competitive Position 2007

BEER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Lager price band methodology

Summary 28 Lager by Price Band 2008

PUBLISHED DATA COMPARISONS

SECTOR DATA

Table 22 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 23 Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 24 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 25 Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 26 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2003-2008

Table 27 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2003-2008

Table 28 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 29 Sales of Beer by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 30 Beer: Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 31 Beer Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 32 Beer Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 33 Beer Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 34 Beer Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 35 Company Shares of Beer by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 36 Company Shares of Beer by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 37 Brand Shares of Beer 2004-2007

Table 38 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 39 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 40 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 41 Forecast Sales of Beer by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

CIDER/PERRY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Published data comparisons

SECTOR DATA

Table 42 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 43 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 44 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 45 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 46 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Volume 2003-2008

Table 47 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: Value 2003-2008

Table 48 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 49 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of Cider/Perry: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 50 Cider/Perry Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 51 Cider/Perry Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 52 Cider/Perry Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 53 Cider/Perry Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 54 Cider/Perry Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 55 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 56 Company Shares of Cider/Perry by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 57 Brand Shares of Cider/Perry 2004-2007

Table 58 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 59 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 60 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 61 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

RTDS/HIGH-STRENGTH PREMIXES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Published data comparisons

SECTOR DATA

Table 62 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 63 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 64 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 65 Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 66 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Volume 2003-2008

Table 67 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: Value 2003-2008

Table 68 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 69 On-trade vs Off-trade Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 70 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 71 Company Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 72 Brand Shares of RTDS/High-strength Premixes 2004-2007

Table 73 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 74 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 75 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 76 Forecast Sales of RTDS/High-strength Premixes by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

WINE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

PUBLISHED DATA COMPARISONS

National Consumer Expenditure

SECTOR DATA

Table 77 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 78 Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 79 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 80 Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 81 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2003-2008

Table 82 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2003-2008

Table 83 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 84 Sales of Wine by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 85 Volume Sales of Still Red Wine by Price Segment 2003-2008

Table 86 Volume Sales of Still White Wine by Price Segment 2003-2008

Table 87 Volume Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Price Segment 2003-2008

Table 88 Volume Sales of Other Sparkling Wine by Price Segment 2003-2008

Table 89 Sales of Still Red Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2003-2008

Table 90 Sales of Still White Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2003-2008

Table 91 Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Grape/Varietal Type 2003-2008

Table 92 Sales of Still Red Wine by Quality Classification 2003-2008

Table 93 Sales of Still White Wine by Quality Classification 2003-2008

Table 94 Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Quality Classification 2003-2008

Table 95 Wine Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 96 Wine Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 97 Wine Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 98 Wine Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 99 Wine Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 100 Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 101 Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 102 Brand Shares of Still Light Grape Wine 2004-2007

Table 103 Company Shares of Champagne by National Brand Owner 2004-2007

Table 104 Company Shares of Champagne by Global Brand Owner 2004-2007

Table 105 Brand Shares of Champagne 2004-2007

Table 106 Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 107 Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 108 Brand Shares of Other Sparkling Wine 2004-2007

Table 109 Company Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth by National Brand Owner 2004-2007

Table 110 Company Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth by Global Brand Owner 2004-2007

Table 111 Brand Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth 2004-2007

Table 112 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 113 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 114 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 115 Forecast Sales of Wine by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

SPIRITS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PRODUCTION, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR BACKGROUND

Vodka, gin and other blended Scotch whisky Price band methodology

PUBLISHED DATA COMPARISONS

National Consumer Expenditure

SECTOR DATA

Table 116 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2003-2008

Table 117 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2003-2008

Table 118 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 119 Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 120 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Volume 2003-2008

Table 121 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: Value 2003-2008

Table 122 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Volume Growth 2003-2008

Table 123 Sales of Spirits by On-trade vs Off-trade Split: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 124 Sales of Other Blended Scotch Whisky by Premium/Super-premium Split 2003-2008

Table 125 Sales of Gin by Premium/Super-premium Split 2003-2008

Table 126 Sales of Vodka by Premium/Super-premium Split 2003-2008

Table 127 Sales of Flavoured vs Non-flavoured Vodka 2003-2008

Table 128 Spirits Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 129 Spirits Exports by Country of Destination: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 130 Spirits Exports by Country of Destination: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 131 Spirits Imports by Country of Origin: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 132 Spirits Imports by Country of Origin: Total Value 2002-2007

Table 133 Whisk(e)y Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 134 Brandy & Cognac Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 135 Vodka Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 136 Gin Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 137 Rum Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 138 Tequila Production, Imports and Exports: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 139 Liqueurs Production: Total Volume 2002-2007

Table 140 Company Shares of Spirits by National Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 141 Company Shares of Spirits by Global Brand Owner 2003-2007

Table 142 Brand Shares of Spirits 2004-2007

Table 143 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Volume 2008-2013

Table 144 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: Total Value 2008-2013

Table 145 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Volume Growth 2008-2013

Table 146 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Subsector: % Total Value Growth 2008-2013

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