Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The survey by the Portman Group, the alcohol regulator and social responsibility body, found that even among those drinking more, close to half remain within these guidelines.
The research found that prior to lockdown, 75% of UK adults said they either did not drink or drank within the guidelines of 14 units per week. This equates to 6 pints of 4% ABV beer or 6 glasses of 13% ABV wine a week.
Since lockdown on 23 March, two-thirds of Brits who drank alcohol before the lockdown say they are drinking the same (38%), less (22%) or stopped drinking altogether (5%).
Of those drinking more, 44% are drinking within guidelines, while a further 22% are drinking just over the guidelines up to 21 units a week. A further 13% are consuming 22-28 units; 8% consuming 29-35 units; 6% consuming 36-49 units; and 4% consuming at a harmful or high-risk level of more than 50 units.
These findings are echoed in a separate survey for the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking – the global body focused on reducing harmful drinking – which also shows that half of Brits expect to maintain their new reduced drinking habits, while 35% expect to return to pre-lockdown habits.
Portman Group chief executive, John Timothy, said: “These surveys are further proof that fears of Brits binge drinking through lockdown are unfounded, with the majority of UK drinkers continuing to remain within the government’s low-risk guidelines, even those drinking a little bit more than previously.
“However, we must be mindful that there remains a minority who continue to drink at hazardous levels and have actually increased their consumption, and we join with other organisatons in calling for those struggling to be given the professional support they need.”
International Alliance for Responsible Drinking president, Henry Ashworth, added: “Despite reports of people rushing to stock up on alcohol in supermarkets, pictures of empty shelves, and early increases in off-premise alcohol sales, today’s polling indicates that the vast majority of people in these nine countries consumed the same or less alcohol during shutdowns.
“It is also encouraging that many intend to maintain these moderate habits as restaurants and bars, which have been sorely missed as a vital part of many people’s social wellbeing, begin to open.”
