UK on-trade beer market falls 3.4%
The overall beer market was down 0.1% against 2012.
The value of the on-trade beer market is still narrowly ahead of that of the off trade (50.8% against 49.2%). “It remains to be seen whether 2014 will see off trade sales overtaking on trade sales,” said the BBPA.
Sales of lighter beers (between 1.2% and 2.8% ABV) continued to grow in 2013, the organisation said.
“Lower strength beer duty, introduced in 2011 and offering a 50% duty reduction for beers of 2.8% ABV or below, as well as growing consumer demand for a lower strength alternative, are likely to have contributed to this strong performance.”
It added: “Cask ale sales were up, achieving their highest market share since 2002. Another standout performer was premium bottled ale, which continued its long trend of growing sales.”
