UK rose sales dip for first time in years

Sales of rosé have stalled in the UK, recent Nielsen figures show. Demand for the once hugely fashionable pink wine has dropped, with sales by volume falling 2% to 12.3 million cases in the past year.

This time last year, the market was enjoying a growth of 9% to 12.6 million cases.

Total value sales grew 3% to £641 million in the last year, with rosé slightly out-performing red and white wine in the UK.

Nielsen’s drinks analyst Stewart Blunt said: “This time last year we would be happily talking about a 9% growth, instead we have here a rather sombre minus figure of 2%. It’s disappointing."

“A lot of it comes down to the cheap end of rosé. South Africa was particularly dynamic in putting good growth into the market this time last year. Exchange rates have become unfavourable since and that has put a dampener on things.

Rosé is still cheaper than red or white wine, with an average bottle priced at  £4.31 compared with the market average of £4.50, but over the past year its average price has risen by 5%.

Despite the latest figures, suppliers believe rosé will maintain a sizeable presence in the market over the coming years.

Jon Pepper, managing director of wine importers Buckingham Schenk, said: “Rosé’s market share seems to have peaked in 2010 and now looks constant at just over 12%.

“Although the market is flattening out, it seems clear that rosé’s increased presence on the shelves is here to stay, as there has been no decline in appetite for pink wines.”

Lucy Shaw, 09.05.11