UK drinkers starting to pay more

Wine consumers in the UK are increasingly happy to spend more on a bottle of wine to drink at home, according to Wine Intelligence’s latest Vinitrac UK consumer confidence index.

The report also revealed increasing consumer wine purchase visits to Sainsbury’s, the Co-op and Marks & Spencer, but a decline in visits to certain specialists, such as Oddbins.

The research, which measures the future spending intentions on wine, recorded its highest reading for spending last month, with an index score of 49 – a stark contrast to the index score of 34 in February 2009.

The Wine Intelligence data also suggested a return to normal spending patterns, something which appears to be accompanied by a greater level of conservatism and price-consciousness, with six in 10 wine drinkers now saying they either stick to what they know, or base their buying decision entirely on price, compared with less than 50% three years ago.

Commenting on the report, Richard Halstead, Wine Intelligence’s chief operating officer, said: “I think it’s too early to say that green shoots of recovery are visible, given the impending VAT and duty increases.

“But I think it’s encouraging to see that through the recession UK consumers have not fallen out of love with wine. Indeed, there is even some reason to believe they love it a little more.”

The index forms part of Wine Intelligence’s semi-annual UK Market Trends Report, which was published last week. The report offers an overview of wine drinking in the UK with an emphasis on consumer behaviour and attitude, looking at trends over the past three years.
 
The full UK Market Trends Report can be purchased for £2,000 for a single user licence or it is available to subscribers of Vinisub, the new Wine Intelligence subscription service launched earlier this year.

To find out more, visit www.wineintelligence.com

Jane Parkinson, 13.12.2010