Consumers turn to low and no drinks
Consumers are using the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to cut down on their drinking, with people of all ages turning to low- and no-alcohol alternatives.
Many consumers have used the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to cut down on their drinking, with people of all ages turning to low- and no-alcohol alternatives.
New research from YouGov, commissioned by The Portman Group, has shown that almost two-thirds of UK adults (62.5%) have tried low and no products, including over two-thirds of current UK drinkers (68%). Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of UK drinkers consider themselves to be semi-regular consumers of low- and no-alcohol, with the highest consumption taking place in Scotland (27%).
Key reasons for choosing low and no alternatives include being able to drive home and not drinking excessively at social events. Additionally, among those who say they are more likely to drink low and no products since the emergence of Covid-19, almost half (43%) say they are trying to live healthier and 41% say they are trying to moderate their alcohol consumption at home. What's more, 17.5% who are already drinking low and no said they would be further encouraged to select alternatives if they were more widely available in supermarkets and hospitality venues.
According to The Portman Group, total alcohol volumes sold actually fell by more than a third during the first lockdown. Conversely, low and no sales continue to soar and the sector has witnessed a 30% year-on-year growth from 2019 to 2020, highlighting changing drinking habits in the UK and the sector’s ability to respond to this.
