Kantar: alcohol sales rose by nearly a third compared to last year

UK grocery sales of booze rose 29% over the last 12 weeks, the latest data from Kantar showed, as UK consumers took solace in treating themselves during a hard winter.

Although the Dry January effect was reflected by an increased spend on no-alcohol beer, up 12% on last year, this was outstripped by alcohol sales over the last 12 weeks, which were £234million higher than the same period last year.

Kantar’s head of retail and consumer insight, Fraser McKevitt, pointed out that alongside the ‘healthy’ New Year’s resolutions, shoppers looked to treat themselves in January “as a way of coping with another month of restrictions”.

“Many sought to indulge and keep spirits high during a tough winter month,” he said, pointing to the boost to alcohol sales.

Meanwhile UK households spend £1 billion more overall at UK supermarket (food and drink) in January 2021, compared to January 2020, with

However McKevitt pointed out that the growth was likely to tail of in March once we pass the anniversary of the first lockdown in March, as a result of strong comparables.

“There’s also hope that the hospitality sector will re-open, meaning demand for take-home groceries is likely to subside,” he added.

Online sales continued to be high, while the convenience sector (including independent corner stores) also saw a strong uplift, with a market share of 12.9%, the highest four week share of the market since September.

The coop saw sales up 11.4%, while independent and symbol groups (which includes retailers such as Spar and Londis) grew 20.9%.