Spirits are among the nation's top five export earners. Around 33% of all vodka and 70% of all gin produced in the UK are exported.

The off trade dominates the white spirits sector, around three-quarters of all gin and vodka is sold in the off-trade. Can suppliers increase sales in the on-trade by taking advantage of new opportunities such as the development of bars in the major cities?

A growing number of new, young consumers of alcohol have increased the demand for premium brands in the white spirits market. Why have gin manufacturers been unable to attract the same levels of consumption?

Spirits are among the nation's top five export earners. Around 33% of all vodka and 70% of all gin produced in the UK are exported.

The off trade dominates the white spirits sector, around three-quarters of all gin and vodka is sold in the off-trade. Can suppliers increase sales in the on-trade by taking advantage of new opportunities such as the development of bars in the major cities?

A growing number of new, young consumers of alcohol have increased the demand for premium brands in the white spirits market. Why have gin manufacturers been unable to attract the same levels of consumption?

This report covers the market for white spirits sold in the UK for consumption both in and out of the home, which was last examined by Mintel in Market Intelligence, March 1999. The year 2000 saw the sale of Seagram, one of the largest spirit producers in the world, in a move which will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the marketing and control of all spirit markets worldwide.

Most white spirits have enjoyed very healthy sales thanks to their youth appeal and versatility, while dark spirits, on the whole, have tended to suffer from a perceived image of antiquity and staidness. In addition, gin, vodka and most white rums are generally much cheaper to produce than their dark spirit counterparts. This is because they require relatively little time in a cask prior to being sold, thus keeping down costs and rendering them more accessible to younger drinkers. Women have been particularly influential in this category, becoming more sophisticated and happy to experiment, expanding their drinking repertoire in the process. The market is effectively dominated by just three international brands - Gordon's Gin, Smirnoff Red vodka and Bacardi Carta Blanca white rum. The white spirits industry provides employment for almost 10,000 people in the UK, both directly and indirectly.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Wine, Market Intelligence, January 2001

- Special Report, The UK Drinks Market, December 2000

- Drinking Trends, Market Intelligence, November 2000

- Fortified Wine, Market Intelligence, December 2000

- Cider, Market Intelligence, October 2000

- Champagne and Other Sparkling Wine, Market Intelligence, September 2000

- Alcoholic Mixables, Market Intelligence, July 2000

- Liqueurs, Market Intelligence, June 2000

- Ales and Stouts, Market Intelligence, May 2000

- Alcoholic RTDs, Market Intelligence, April 2000

- Adult Soft Drinks, Market Intelligence, March 2000

- Alcoholic Soft Drinks, Market Intelligence, September 1998

- Dark Spirits, Market Intelligence, April 2001.

If you want more details about this particular report, please contact the Mintel information team on +44 (0)20 7606 6000 or email them at info@mintel.com.