Pub-goers choosing cheaper wine

Related tags Spirit trade association Economics Government spending Grape

Pub-goers are choosing cheaper wines in the economic downturn, according to new research from the Wines and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).The Wine...

Pub-goers are choosing cheaper wines in the economic downturn, according to new research from the Wines and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

The Wine Intelligence poll of 1,000 regular wine drinkers revealed sharp increases in the numbers buying wines priced below £12 and a fall in those spending more.

Fifty-five per cent of respondents said they were buying wine priced below £12 in the on-trade, up from the 48 per cent who gave this reply the last time the survey was published, three months ago.

Evidence of the economic pressures now facing consumers appears to be underlined by the fact that wine drinkers now rate promotions as the number one factor in deciding what wine to buy. Seventy-two per cent of the wine drinkers questioned rated promotions as the key factor when buying wine, putting it just ahead of grape variety for the first time.

The survey also challenges industry assumptions about the impact of brands in the on-trade, with the vast majority of wine drinkers saying they would consider buying well-known brands, even in a formal restaurant setting. Eighty-eight per cent said they would consider buying branded wine in a bar/ pub.

WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "These figures testify to the harsh reality facing millions of consumers, with budgets squeezed and increasing pressure to reduce spending where possible.

"The survey reinforces our view that continuing steps to push alcohol prices up using tax as a blunt weapon are wholly inappropriate.

"Equally the survey suggests we in the trade may have things to learn about spending patterns in the on-trade, with brands more readily accepted than previously thought."

Related topics Wine

Property of the week

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more