Beer and cider flourish in sunny Spring for drinks sales
Spirits took advantage of interest in cocktails with 2% growth in the week to 3 May, but wine sales were down in both weeks
Drinks sales in the UK rose 12% like-for-like in the week ended Saturday 3 May, the best performance of the year so far.
This followed 2% growth in the seven days to Saturday 26 April, and high single-digit growth in the first half of April.
Following a robust March, the latest run of growth means drinks sales have now been in year-on-year growth for ten of the last 11 weeks.
Trading subsided briefly after Easter, with some consumers watching their spending in the aftermath of the long Bank Holiday weekend.
But as the sunshine set in across many parts of Britain, daily sales rocketed by between 13% and 30% on every day from Sunday 27 April to Friday 1 May.
High temperatures also made it a particularly strong month for Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) categories. Beer and cider sales soared by 15% and 43% respectively in the week to 3 May, after growth of 3% and 13% over the previous seven days.
Soft drinks also felt the benefit of consumers seeking refreshment on hot days, with sales up by 8% and 9% over the two weeks.
Spirits took advantage of interest in cocktails with 2% growth in the week to 3 May, but wine sales were down in both weeks.
Rachel Weller, CGA by NIQ’s commercial lead, UK and Ireland, said: “After a challenging start to 2025, the prolonged good weather has made for a very good Spring for On Premise drinks sales.
“Full pub gardens and terraces have delivered a bumper April for LAD categories and soft drinks, and with the sunshine continuing and another Bank Holiday approaching, May could well be an even stronger month. Disposable incomes are finite, and many people will be watching their spending—but it’s clear that when the sun shines, drinking out remains a top priority for their leisure time.”
