Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Soft drink sales surge amid declining alcohol consumption in the UK

Published:  24 May, 2024

Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the UK’s eating-out market reached a turnover of £97.3bn in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. This represents a 6% increase compared to 2022. However, Britvic's Soft Drinks Review 2024 highlights a shift in consumer preferences, with fast food outlets benefitting from consumers trading down, while casual dining and pubs face more significant challenges.

Read more...

North South Wines and the Giesen Group join forces

Published:  15 February, 2024

North South Wines has announced it will serve as the exclusive distributor for New Zealand brands Giesen Wines and Ara Wines in the UK market.

Read more...

The WSTA to launch ‘low and no’ alcohol guides

Published:  04 August, 2023

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has spearheaded the development of the UK’s first low and no alcohol guides, amid exponential growth in the burgeoning sector. 

Read more...

Reduction in product innovations, as economic pressure bites for drinks brands

Published:  31 July, 2023

Circana, the leading advisor on consumer complexity, has launched its Race for Resilience: Innovation Pacesetters report for Europe. Covering the six largest markets in Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, and the Netherlands), the report reveals declining product innovations for alcoholic drinks brands across the last two years.

Read more...

Low and no: Dry summer

Published:  21 July, 2023

With more people leaning towards moderation when it comes to alcohol, on-trade venues could benefit by improving their low & no options. James Bayley dissects the findings of a new KAM report.

Read more...

Spirits of Virtue relaunch targets UK thirst for quality low & no

Published:  17 July, 2023

Scottish zero-alcohol producer Spirits of Virtue has completed a ‘redevelopment and relaunch’ project with the aim of boosting the reach of its recently expanded portfolio.

Read more...

Multiples: Keeping wine accessible

Published:  27 January, 2023

Co-op and Asda BWS buyers tell James Bayley how they are attempting to ensure their consumers can continue to enjoy value-for-money wines in the bleak economic landscape.

Read more...

Portman Group calls on government for low & no alcohol consultation

Published:  03 January, 2023

The Portman Group is urging the government to do more to encourage the uptake of low & no alcohol drinks and launch a consultation on low-alcohol descriptors.

Read more...

Analysis: Low and no hits the mainstream

Published:  15 August, 2022

Having grown exponentially in recent years, it’s no surprise that the low and no category is evolving at rapid speed, with the latest twist in this 21st-century tale being that it is now moderate drinkers, rather than teetotallers, driving the category. 

Read more...

Long Read: Is novel foods legislation stifling innovation in the beverage sector?

Published:  04 March, 2022

When the UK left the EU, some – including Richard Horwell, owner of specialist food and drink marketing and branding company Brand Relations – hoped novel foods regulations would be overhauled in order to facilitate drinks innovation. Sadly, he says, we are still some way behind.

Read more...

Jerry Lockspeiser: The dangers of ‘drink washing’ in a declining market

Published:  27 January, 2022

I wonder if you embraced dry January this year. Apparently quite a few of us went ‘semi-dry,’ which sounds as contradictory as being a little bit pregnant. I always thought such things were all or nothing. Apparently it refers to consciously controlling alcohol consumption by drinking on fewer days, or drinking less when we do, or turning to No and Lo products instead of the full fat options. A booze equivalent of the ‘flexitarian’ approach to food perhaps.

Read more...

Enotria & Coe expands further into no and low with Sprigster

Published:  11 October, 2021

Read more...

Q&A: Frank Lampen, Distill Ventures

Published:  03 February, 2020

The Diageo-funded, self-proclaimed ‘drinks accelerator’ Distill Ventures backed a winning horse when it helped launch Seedlip on to the market. Jo Gilbert finds out where they go from here, with Frank Lampen, co-founder and CEO, Distill Ventures

Read more...

Holland & Barrett launch marks a ‘first’ for the organic alcohol-free sector

Published:  28 May, 2019

Health food chain Holland & Barrett is taking strides into the alcohol-free sector with a new organic and vegan wine – the first to be available in the UK, according to its producer.

Read more...

UK leads the ‘non-alc’ sector with 271 premium launches in the past year

Published:  15 May, 2019

The UK is at the forefront of innovation in the ‘what to drink when you’re not drinking’ sector, new research has found – ahead of usual trendsetter, the US.

Read more...

Skinny Prosecco founders launch vegan, no-alcohol fizz

Published:  14 May, 2019

This month will see the launch of the UK’s first organic, vegan, alcohol-free sparkling wine, its producers claim.

Read more...