The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on bottled water in Australia as many of the categories’ primary consumption occasions have become far less frequent. A large proportion of still water has traditionally been sold through on-the-go channels such as convenience stores and forecourt retailers, where it is consumed as a refreshing no-calorie beverage.
Although still bottled water is in decline, Australian consumers still desire to consume water that offers something that tap water cannot provide. Carbonated bottled water continued to achieve positive value growth in 2021.
Exercise was another popular motivation for water consumption prior to the pandemic, particularly consumption of functional bottled water and still flavoured bottled water. These were often consumed after a workout at a gym, or during a fun run or marathon.
Many Australian consumers have benefited financially from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, as it has limited the opportunities to spend money on activities such as travel and enabled them to accumulate savings. When shopping for bottled water, they are consequently well situated to choose a premium brand.
The popularity of still bottled water in a developed economy such as Australia, where – with the possible exception of South Australia – tap water is considered both safe and clean, has long been widely criticised on the grounds that the packaging of such an unnecessary product is a waste of resources, and regularly ends up either as litter or as landfill. Media articles and thought pieces condemning the practice are ubiquitous and have been for at least a decade.
The profile of the average still bottled water consumer is physically active and in their 20s and 30s. Due to the lack of migration during the COVID-19 pandemic and likely slow recovery in its aftermath, little growth is expected in this age group.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax is certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Bottled Water industry in Australia 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.
If you're in the Bottled Water industry in Australia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
Bottled Water
This category is the aggregation of still bottled water (spring, mineral & purified), carbonated bottled water (spring, mineral & purified), flavoured bottled water and functional bottled water. Bulk bottled water is split out separately. It is defined as packaged drinking water – purified, spring or mineral – that is packaged in a container of 8 litres or larger. The bulk bottled water data types apply to Still Bottled Water and Carbonated Bottled Water but do not apply to functional or flavoured bottled water. Bulk water is classified according to the new Bulk retail volume and Bulk retail value data type regardless of channel of sale: bulk water sold via retail locations and bulk water delivered direct to a consumer’s home is included. Bulk water sold to institutions (offices, schools etc.) remains excluded.
See All of Our DefinitionsThis report originates from Passport, our Bottled Water research and analysis database.
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!