Select Country Report
2025 Developments
Alcoholic drinks in the UK experienced a continued total volume decline in 2025. This was driven by economic constraints and evolving consumer preferences towards moderation and premiumisation, contrasting with modest regional growth prospects. Despite a 2% total volume decrease, value sales remain resilient, reflecting consumers' willingness to pay a premium for differentiated and quality offerings amid constrained disposable incomes and real GDP growth of 1%. Beer remains the dominant category by volume, supported by heritage brands, while RTDs exhibited dynamic growth through cocktail-led innovation and convenient single-serve formats, capturing occasions traditionally served by beer, wine, and spirits. The no/low alcohol segment has emerged as a mainstream growth driver, evolving beyond niche status with functional innovations like Brewdog’s Mello, which emphasises wellbeing rather than abstinence. Market attractiveness is shaped by selective premiumisation and moderation aligned with occasion-led consumption, with regulatory and cost pressures encouraging portfolio rationalisation and investment in lower-alcohol variants and lighter packaging. Leading companies leverage diversified portfolios and grocery-led distribution, focusing on innovation in premium, alcohol-free, and convenient formats to defend and grow share in a structurally challenged environment. Success requires brands to prioritise occasion relevance, functional benefits, and strategic partnerships with retailers who increasingly act as innovation gatekeepers, while navigating inflation-linked duty changes and sustainability-driven cost pressures.
USD 2,450
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in United Kingdom with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits
- Cider and Perry
- RTDs
If you're in the Alcoholic Drinks industry in United Kingdom, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty
The Alcoholic Drinks in United Kingdom report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Alcoholic Drinks in United Kingdom?
- Where is consumer demand for Alcoholic Drinks focussed?
- Which is being consumed more; beer, wine or spirits?
- Where is demand growing? Stagnating?
- How is the operating environment for alcoholic drinks changing?
- Which are the leading brands in United Kingdom?
- How are products distributed in United Kingdom?
- What are the key trends in new product development?
- Do consumers want value for money or added value?
- How will macroeconomic context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Alcoholic Drinks in the United Kingdom
2025 Developments
Key Data Insights
Chart 1 Key Industry Trends for Alcoholic Drinks
Economic Pressures Push Consumers Towards Premium Options and Moderation
Beer Maintains Dominance While Rtds Tap into Current Trends
Brewdog’S Mello Drives Functional Nolo Expansion into Everyday Occasions
Chart 2 Brewdog’S Mello Brings Functionality to Nolo Beer
Chart 3 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 4 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Consumers Shift to Moderation and Premium Choices Amid Economic Constraints
Beer to Sustain Leadership While Rtds Drive Growth through Innovation
Producers Set to Embrace Nolo Innovation and Portfolio Rationalisation to Cut Costs
Chart 5 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 6 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Chart 7 Analyst Insight for Alcoholic Drinks
Leading Companies Leverage Portfolio Diversity and Premium Focus to Defend Share
Strategic Mergers and Innovation Propel Premium Rtds and Alcohol-Free Expansion
Chart 8 Company Shares 2025
Chart 9 Brand Shares 2025
Supermarkets and Discounters Lead Retail Growth Amid Cost Pressures
Grocery Retailers Refine Alcohol Strategies around Moderation and Exclusivity
Retail E-Commerce Complements Grocery Channels with Niche Alcohol Offerings
Legislation
Legal Purchasing Age and Legal Drinking Age
Drink Driving
Advertising
Smoking Ban
Opening Hours
On-Trade Establishments
Taxation and Duty Levies
Contraband/Parallel Trade
Duty Free
Cross-Border/Private Imports
Brewdog and Campari Lead Functional Innovation Amid Moderation Trends
Chart 10 Aperol Spritz Enters Rtds
Late 2025 Launches Refine Wellness and Heritage for Competitive Positioning
Chart 11 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 12 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 13 Economic Context for Alcoholic Drinks
Chart 14 Population 2020-2030
Chart 15 Population by Generation 2025
Chart 16 Consumer Context for Alcoholic Drinks
Beer in the United Kingdom
Key Data Insights
Beer Summary
Chart 17 Key Industry Trends for Beer
Premiumisation and Moderation Trends Reshape Beer Sales
Chart 18 Murphy's Sees Relaunch as Stout Sales Soar
Lager Remains on Top While Stout and Nolo Beer See Dynamic Growth
Heineken and Brewdog Leverage Heritage and Functionality to Drive Premium Growth
Chart 19 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 20 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Health-Conscious Consumers to Fuel Nolo Trend
Lager to Retain Dominance Despite the Rise of Stout and Nolo Beer
Brands Should Focus on Authenticity and Innovation to Attract Drinkers
Chart 21 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 22 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Leading Manufacturers Consolidate Dominance Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences
Chart 23 Analyst Insight for Beer
Strategic Acquisitions and Functional Innovations Reshape Competitive Dynamics
Chart 24 Company Shares 2025
Chart 25 Brand Shares 2025
Hypermarkets Retain Lead While Discounters Accelerate Growth
Tesco Exclusivity and Discounters Redefine Value and Innovation
Retail E-Commerce Supports Niche Growth and Complements Grocery Sales
Heineken and Brewdog Lead Innovation with Premium and Functional Beer
Premium Nolo Beer Moves beyond Niche
Chart 26 Brewdog Expands Alcohol-Free Range with Functional Offering
Wellness Beer: Flavour Meets Mindful Drinking
Chart 27 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 28 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 29 Economic Context for Beer
Chart 30 Population 2020-2030
Chart 31 Population by Generation 2025
Chart 32 Consumer Context for Beer
Cider/Perry in the United Kingdom
Key Data Insights
Cider/Perry Summary
Chart 33 Key Industry Trends for Cider/Perry
Shoppers Trade up to Trusted Names as Regular Cider Regains Shelf Space
Alcohol-Free Launches and Quality Cues Drive Double-Digit Nolo Gains
Chart 34 Inch's Launches New Varieties
Inch’S and Thatchers Use Regional Sourcing to Justify Premiumisation
Chart 35 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 36 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Nolo Launches Expected to Recruit New At-Home Drinkers
Trusted Brands Focus on Heritage to Maintain Premium Shelf Space
Moderation and Economic Headwinds Reinforce Value and Quality Priorities
Chart 37 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 38 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Thatchers and Inch’S Drive Gains as Legacy Brands Falter
Thatchers and Henry Westons Boost Appeal through Apple-Led Innovation
Chart 39 Company Shares 2025
Chart 40 Brand Shares 2025
Hypermarkets and Supermarkets Expand Their Share by Meeting Shopper Demands
Retail E-Commerce Loses Ground as In-Store Impulse Drives Cider/Perry Sales
Thatchers and Inch’S Leverage Heritage to Boost Premium Sales
Chart 41 Challenger Brands Launch New Nolo Lines
Kopparberg and Challenger Brands Drive Nolo Growth through Taste and Accessibility
Chart 42 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 43 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 44 Economic Context for Cider/Perry
Chart 45 Population 2020-2030
Chart 46 Population by Generation 2025
Chart 47 Consumer Context for Cider/Perry
Rtds in the United Kingdom
Key Data Insights
Rtds Summary
Chart 48 Key Industry Trends for Rtds
Steady Growth Driven by Consumer Demand and Evolving Drinking Occasions
Spirit-Based Rtds Lead Volume Sales While Non Alcoholic Variants Expand Rapidly
Aperol and Fever-Tree Innovate to Redefine Ready-To-Drink Occasions
Chart 49 Aperol Spritz Rtds Launch
Chart 50 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 51 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Younger Adults Drive Steady Growth through Mindful Consumption
Spirit-Based Rtds to Maintain Dominance While Nolo Products Gain Ground
Premiumisation and Sustainability to Shape Innovation and Product Strategies
Chart 52 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 53 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Chart 54 Analyst Insight for Rtds
Leading Companies Adapt as Premium Cocktail Brands Disrupt Share Dynamics
Major Acquisitions and Innovative Launches Intensify Competition
Chart 55 Company Shares 2025
Chart 56 Brand Shares 2025
Grocery Retailers Drive Growth in Rtds While Convenience Channels Expand
Leading Retailers Innovate with Front-Of-Store Chillers and Impulse Formats
Offline Retail Outpaces E-Commerce as Consumers Favour Chilled Impulse Purchases
Leading Brands Reinvent Products to Meet Evolving Consumption Occasions
Chart 57 Fever-Tree Launches Bold, Fruit Flavours
Premium Launches and Bold Flavours Drive Category Excitement and Reach
Chart 58 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 59 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 60 Economic Context for Rtds
Chart 61 Population 2020-2030
Chart 62 Population by Generation 2025
Chart 63 Consumer Context for Rtds
Spirits in the United Kingdom
Key Data Insights
Spirits Summary
Chart 64 Key Industry Trends for Spirits
Volume Sales Decline as Economic Pressures Impact Demand
White Spirits Benefit From Mixability and Familiarity
Chart 65 Accessible Premium Spirits Hit the Market
Pernod Ricard’S Jameson and Dionilife’S Nolo Launches Find Success
Chart 66 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 67 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Major Producers Adapt to Moderation Trends with Innovative Launches
Tequila and Non Alcoholic Spirits Set for Growth Despite Challenges Elsewhere
Rising Costs and Duty Pressures Drive Innovation and Premiumisation Strategies
Chart 68 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 69 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Chart 70 Analyst Insight for Spirits
Diageo Benefits From Its Broad Portfolio Amid Shifting Consumer Preferences
Emerging Craft and Nolo Brands Leverage Innovation to Disrupt Traditional Dynamics
Chart 71 Company Shares 2025
Chart 72 Brand Shares 2025
Hypermarkets Maintain Lead as Discounters Gain Ground Amid Price Sensitivity
Supermarkets Elevate Private Label Spirits to Capture Sales
Retail E-Commerce Stabilises as Premium and Niche Spirits Drive Online Demand
Major Players Leverage Market Polarisation and Flavour Trends to Sustain Growth
Chart 73 Flavour-Led Launches Attract Interest
Jameson, Suntory, and Dionilife Lead Innovation with Targeted Product Launches
Chart 74 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 75 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 76 Economic Context for Spirits
Chart 77 Population 2020-2030
Chart 78 Population by Generation 2025
Chart 79 Consumer Context for Spirits
Wine in the United Kingdom
Key Data Insights
Wine Summary
Key Industry Trends
Economic Pressures and Changing Consumer Behaviours Impact Sales of Wine
Still Light Grape Wine Dominates Volume as Non Alcoholic Wine Gains Momentum
Chart 80 Canned Wine Targets Younger Adults
Rtd Formats and Nolo Wine Captures Younger and More Mindful Adults
Chart 81 Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 82 Volume Sales by Category 2025
Shifting Consumer Preferences Set to Influence the Future of Wine
Private Label Innovation and Sustainability Drive Product Differentiation as Costs Rise
Rising Costs and Regulation Prompt Portfolio Streamlining and Strategic Innovation
Chart 83 Forecast Volume Sales 2020-2030
Chart 84 Forecast Volume Sales by Category 2025-2030
Private Label Growth Reshapes Competitive Dynamics as Leading Brands Adapt
Vinarchy's Formation and the Rise of Benchmark Drinks Signal Strategic Shifts
Chart 85 Company Shares 2025
Chart 86 Brand Shares 2025
Hypermarkets Lead Sales as Discounters Gain Traction Amid Cost Pressures
Ready-To-Drink Innovation and Localism Reshape Retail Dynamics in Wine
Retail E-Commerce Sustains Niche Growth Amid Stable Offline Dominance
Chart 87 Celebrities Back Non Alcoholic Wine
Leading Brands and Retailers Drive Innovation through Rtd and Nolo Trends
Innovative Product Launches and Packaging Reshape Consumer Experience and Retail Mix
Private Label Growth and Regulatory Pressures Reshape Competitive Dynamics
Chart 88 Real Gdp Growth 2020-2030
Chart 89 Inflation 2020-2030
Chart 90 Population 2020-2030
Chart 91 Population by Generation 2025
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Alcoholic Drinks
-
-
- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
-
- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
-
-
- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
-
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
-
- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
-
-
-
- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
-
- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
-
-
- Low Alcohol Beer
-
- Standard Non Alcoholic Beer
- Malta Style Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
-
-
- Regular Cider/Perry
- Non Alcoholic Cider/Perry
-
- Malt-based RTDs
- Spirit-based RTDs
- Wine-based RTDs
- Other RTDs
- Non Alcoholic RTDs
-
-
- Brandy
- Cognac
-
- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
-
-
- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
-
- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
-
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
-
- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
-
-
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
-
- Prestige Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Ultra Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Super Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Standard Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Economy Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
-
- Other Whiskies
-
-
-
- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
-
-
- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
-
-
- Absinthe
- Ad-Mix Brandy
- Ad-Mix Gin
- Ad-Mix Rum
- Ad-Mix Vodka
- Ad-Mix Whisky
- Aguardente/Aguardiente
- Aguardiente De Caña
- Akvavit/Aquavit
- Aniseed-Flavoured Spirits
- Borovicka
- Boukha
- Brandy Type Distilled Spirits
- Cachaça
- Calvados
- Cane
- Chacha
- Charanda
- Chinese Herbal Spirits
- Chinese Spirits
- Cut Brandy
- Destilados De Agave
- Distilled Fruit Spirits
- Domestic Brandy
- Domestic Rum
- Doppelkorn
- Economy Chinese Spirits
- Flavoured Spirits
- Flavoured Vodka-based Drinks
- Fynbos gin/Local Gin
- Gin-flavoured spirits
- Goldbrand/Goldkrone
- Grappa
- Grappamiel
- Guaro
- Kirsch
- Komovica
- Korn
- Lambanog
- Limoncello
- Local White Spirits
- Lower Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Lozovaca
- Maesilju
- Mahia Rabi Amrane
- Mead
- Mixed Spirits
- Nalivka/Nalewka
- Nastoyka
- National Specialities
- Obstbrände
- Ouzo
- Pacharán
- Palinca/Pálinka
- Pear and Apple Distillates
- Pisco
- Premium Chinese Spirits
- Prune
- Punsch
- Rachiu/Rakija
- Rum-Flavoured Spirits
- Samane
- Sambuca
- Samsu
- Schnapps
- Shochu/Soju
- Singani
- Sljivovica/Slivovice
- Steinhäeger
- Strong African Spirits
- Super Premium Chinese Spirits
- Sura Khao
- Tequila Flavoured Spirits
- Travarica
- Tsipouro
- Upper Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Vieux
- Viina
- Vodka Type Distilled Spirits
- Other Distilled Beverages
-
-
-
- Port
- Sherry
- Vermouth
- Other Fortified Wine
-
- Apple Wine
- Bokbunjaju
- Cheongju
- Chinese Wine
- Economy Rice Wine
- Fortified Fruit Wine
- Fruit and Berry Wine
- Fruit and Herbal Wine
- Fruit and Honey based Wine
- Fruit Wine
- Lower Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Non-Grape Dessert Wine
- Premium Rice Wine
- Sake
- Takju
- Upper Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Yakju
- Yellow Wine
- Other Non-Grape Wine
-
- Champagne
- Other Sparkling Wine
-
- Still Red Wine
- Still Rosé Wine
- Still White Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
-
Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
See all of our definitions
Share:
Why buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders.
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats.
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions.
This report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!