Alcohol sales have been in decline during coronavirus pandemic
Consumers around the world bought 15.8 billion fewer litres of alcohol beverages last year, according to research from Euromonitor International.
Global alcohol sales volumes declined by more than 6% year-on-year in 2020, according to data from more than 100 countries, amid widespread closures of hospitality venues and coronavirus restrictions on socialising with friends and family.
It follows surveys conducted by YouGov for the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) in May 2020 and November 2020 that found that 84% and 86% of drinkers were consuming the same amount or less booze during shutdowns.
However, despite reductions in global sales volumes, emerging data from some countries indicates certain groups already drinking at harmful levels intensified these risky patterns in the past year.
Henry Ashworth, IARD President and CEO, says: “Despite reports of people rushing to stock up on alcohol in supermarkets, pictures of empty shelves, and fears that people would drink more when confined to their homes, these sales figures definitively show that less alcohol was bought in 2020.”
“Although the majority of drinkers continue to consume alcohol at moderate levels, we recognise that the pandemic reinforced harmful drinking patterns for some people.”
“As societies begin to reopen it is essential for private, public, and civil society to come together to ensure that targeted and appropriate support is available for those who need it most.”
Sign up for our free retail technology newsletter here.
-
Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is deployi… https://t.co/Q5En8j6cEc -
Check out the week's coolest retail technology plays, including @obsessVR @OcadoGroup @AEON_JAPAN @braincorp… https://t.co/RH2BIf6Jol
-
RTIH presents the retail technology week in numbers, including @CovariantAI @RetailTechShow @DennysDiner… https://t.co/WURUUgdCr0
-
Our Editor @ScottThomps74 rounds up the biggest retail tech stories from the past week including @BootsUK… https://t.co/IWj7BebUB1
Continue reading…