WSTA: Gin crosses the £1b barrier earlier than forecasted

By Erin Smith

Published: 13 September, 2016

Due to the warm English summer both gin sales have soared and the value of gin sales has now crossed the £1 billion barrier six months earlier than forecasted, according the Wine and Spirits Trade Association's latest figures.

The figures cover the last 12 months to August and are in a report that will be released today at the WSTA's annual conference, which is to be held in London.

Gin is now being served as a staple in British pubs and is helping to boost sales figures as more pubs look to diversify their offerings.

"The WSTA's latest Market Report shows how popular gin has become with UK consumers, including those supporting British pubs. While bar owners and restaurateurs have seen the magic and versatility of the quintessentially British spirit gin menus and bespoke glassware are now a regular feature in pubs too," said chief executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale.

For gin the on-trade dominates value sales with over £601m worth of gin being sold in the category and off-trade saw £424m sold according to the WSTA's Market Report.

Estimates originally had forecasted that gin would cross the £1b mark in 2017. The recent warm weather in part has helped to boosts sales as well. In the last 12 weeks (to 9/7/2016) gin sold across UK pubs, bars and restaurants was valued at £149m which is up 19% compared to last year.

Last year 56 new distilleries were opened across the UK based on HMRC figures, which was higher than the first released figure which reported that 49 distilleries had opened in 2015. England topped the chart with 28 new distilleries opening, followed by 12 in Scotland, 10 in Northern Ireland and six in Wales.

Total gin sales in 2015 soared, up 25% compared the year before, and now account for 11.5% of the UK spirits market by volume.

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