Drinks sales surge 13%
Growth was strongest in the soft drinks category, up 24%, as consumers continued Dry January
Average drinks sales in the week to 14 January 2023 were 13% higher than the equivalent seven days in 2022 according to data from CGA.
This follows a 24% increase in the first week of January and strong increases throughout December. This is ahead of the current 10.5% rate of inflation.
However trading in early 2022 was weakened by concerns about the Omicron variant of Covid, while sales are down by 1% against the same week in January 2020. After adjustments for inflation, sales are substantially behind pre-COVID levels in real terms.
Growth was strongest in the soft drinks category, up 24%, as consumers continued Dry January.
Wine was up 17%, cider up 16% and beer up 14%. Spirit sales were flat though they were just ahead of pre-Covid comparisons.
Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “It’s been a decent first half of January for the On Premise, with the important proviso that drinks sales are still below where we were before Covid.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see such strong growth in soft drinks, which suggests that consumers who have taken Dry January pledges are still visiting pubs and bars. High household bills may squeeze spending in 2023, but it’s clear that consumers remain eager to drink out.”
