Drink sales in the UK performed well during the festive period, lifted by strong volumes of beers and cider.
In the week’s build-up to Christmas average drink sales rose 9% year-on-year, with beer and cider jumping by 12%, followed by an 8% increase in wine sales and only a 3% increase in spirits, data from the CGA revealed.
During the week from Christmas Eve to 30 December, drink sales rose by 6%, meaning both weeks of trade comfortably outperformed the 4% rate of inflation.
Christmas Day sales were up 10% on 2022 figures, while Christmas Eve revenues jumped by 3%.
Boxing Day struggled, with sales remaining flat in comparison to last year.
“After a soft November and early December it was great to see such a strong end to 2023 for many operators and suppliers,” said Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director for UK and Ireland.
Beer and cider sales during the festive week lifted by 13% and 12% respectively, with wine following in with a 7% annual jump.
However, spirits disappointed, experiencing an 11% fall – the only drink category to do so during the festive period.
Jones added: “While trading conditions remain challenging, we can be cautiously optimistic that these positive trends will continue into early 2024, despite the pressures of reduced spending and Dry January.”