Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Speaking during a virtual Budweiser Brewing Group briefing, Smith said people have been thinking more about their alcohol consumption and are “looking for beers that don’t give you a hangover”.
She said the no- and low-alcohol category has seen an increase of 147% since 2015 and now 19% of UK adults consider themselves teetotal, which Smith said is mostly due to lifestyle changes and dietary choices, rather than “them not liking the taste of beer”.
Smith said that over the past few years there has been a real consumer demand for decent vegetarian and vegan food, and the same thing is now happening with no- and low-alcohol beer.
For retailers looking to introduce low and no alcohol into their store, Budweiser recommends starting with Becks Blue, which is available in a 330ml bottle. Smith describes this as a “gateway beer” because many people cannot tell the difference between the no alcohol and alcoholic versions.
Budweiser Brewing Group said it is supporting retailers who want to include a no- or low-alcohol offering in store with meal deal recommendations and visits from a dedicated sales team, who “receive training on the no- and low-alcohol category”.
Definitely seeing the same trends with non-alcoholic spirits; consumer interest in this was already increasing pre lockdown, but this has, as the article suggests, accelerated it even further. We’re seeing rapidly increasing sales in this sector especially amongst retailers and direct eCommerce; expecting some further peaks soon also for ‘Stoptober’ and ‘Dry January’ of course which will springboard the category further.