Sales of no/low alcohol drinks reached over 57 million litres in 2021. Around 1 litre for each adult in the UK, which was 1.06 percent of all sales worth £221 million. Their popularity continues to surge with consumers wanting a more healthier life style by reducing their alcohol intake.
Although on the face of it the trend is very positive, there is a negative side regarding no/low alcohol drinks, which is their high price. The concern is that consumers on tighter budgets are being priced out from buying them. A recent report stated that most drinks in this category cost the same or more than their alcohol included equivalents.
In the first research of its kind, a study analysed consumption of beers, ciders, wines, spirits and ready -to- drink beverages with less than 1.2 percent alcohol by volume. Around a third of adults consumed no or low alcohol drinks with one in five doing so once a month. Lighter drinkers were less likely to consume them on a regular basis than more heavy drinkers. More wealthy drinkers were likely to consume no or low alcohol drinks than those drinkers from poorer backgrounds. The study suggested that similar pricing with alcohol containing drinks put some people off.
John Holmes of the University of Sheffield which carried out the survey said ‘ it’s good to see evidence that risky drinkers are trying no/low alcohol beverages. However these drinks are expensive. That’s a problem because alcohol causes the most harm among more deprived groups. If those groups can’t afford no/low alcohol drinks, it might mean we see only a small improvement in public health’.
Figures from analysts Assosia for the Grocer magazine highlights a price hike of 23.3% for 9 popular alcohol free beers at four of the UK’s leading supermarkets since the start of December last year.
A statement from the industry funded Portman Group said ‘The concerns around alcohol alternatives which share branding with regular-strength drinks are unfounded, as research shows these brands are helping consumers cut their drinking’.
