Gin, White Rum and Other White Spirits - UK - March 2009
Can character and distinction win in a commoditised world?
Sales of gin and other white spirits have grown by 5% in value and volume since 2003, fuelled by growth at the budget and premium ends of the market, to over 46 million litres valued at £1.2 billion in 2008.
Sales fell in 2008, however, with the economic downturn accelerating an exodus of customers from pubs and bars, white rum losing its way, and gin struggling to attract young drinkers.
Key themes
Which categories are expected in suffer in the economic downturn?
Sales of gin and other white spirits have grown by 5% in value and volume since 2003, fuelled by growth at the budget and premium ends of the market, to over 46 million litres valued at £1.2 billion in 2008.
Sales fell in 2008, however, with the economic downturn accelerating an exodus of customers from pubs and bars, white rum losing its way, and gin struggling to attract young drinkers.
Key themes
Which categories are expected in suffer in the economic downturn?
How are shifting demographics likely to impact on white spirit sales?
Which categories are using innovation and marketing to drive sales?
Which sales outlets offer the greatest opportunity for future growth?
“Managing a shift in consumer perceptions can also help to change liqueurs from being viewed as old-fashioned by too many younger people. This is partly due to a failure to update the image of the category and capitalise on the category’s rich provenance as something alluring rather than anachronistic.”