Drinking at home remains more popular than going out
Overall, 87% of British people have drunk at home in the last year, marginally higher than the 83% who did so out of home, says the Mintel research. The volume of alcohol sold for drinking at home is expected to decline from 3.9bn to 3.8bn litres between 2009 and 2014, with the initial growth experienced during the recession receding. Volumes rose 2% in 2010 but have been falling since, although the decline eased in 2013 and is expected to remain “modest” in 2014.
The figure is set to reach 3.7bn litres in 2019, according to Mintel. However, sales by value have grown in recent years, up 5% in 2010 and slowing to between 2% and 4% annually since.
Jonny Forsyth, Mintel’s global drinks analyst said: “Alcohol consumption in the UK is in decline reflecting considerations such as continued financial pressures and health awareness. Initiatives such as the now-abandoned alcohol tax escalator, while raising extra money for the public purse, have pushed up prices at a time when discretionary spending is squeezed.
“With prices rising inexorably, the in-home market is vulnerable to consumers cutting back on how much alcohol they buy. However, external factors such as the weather and high-profile events such as the football World Cup could help to boost spending on alcoholic drinks.”
Top drinks
Wine is the most popular drink for consuming at home, with 68% of British drinkers doing so. This is followed by lager (50%) and cider (41%). Wine accounts for 25% of volume sales for drinking at home, with cider increasing its share to 16%.
Mintel research highlights the growth of older people drinking at home; 18% over 65s drink at home on a daily basis, compared to 11% of 18 to 24 year-olds and 8% of 45 to 54 year-olds.
While 57% of adults drink at home at least once a week, 41% do so more than once a week and 12% every day (16% for men, 9% for women). Those living in London (20%) are more than twice as likely as those in the north, north west and Scotland (8%) to drink at home daily.
