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Non-Alcoholic Drinks in the UK - Popularity
Non-alcoholic drinks are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with revenue rising 2% in 2019 to £28.683 billion. Despite soft drinks still representing the largest percentage, non-alcoholic beer is the fastest growing segment with 39% increase in revenue and 21% in volume. Growing concerns among the UK population about health and well-being are behind this trend, which has Millennials and Gen Zers as the leading audiences.
POPULARITY OF NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
- Non-alcoholic drinks are growing in popularity in the UK, with revenue of the segment rising 2% in 2019 to £28.683 billion (US$36.225 billion) total, and £428.37 (US$541) per person (1.4% growth annual).
- The largest segment is soft drinks £24.443 billion (US$30.870 billion), followed by juices and bottled water.
- Non-alcoholic beer (which includes any beer under 1.2% alcohol) is also having a spike in sales, reaching £57 million (US$71.987 million) in the 12 months to April 2019. This represents an annual 39% growth.
- Volume of non-alcoholic beer spiked to 12.2 million pints, up 21% year-on-year, in 2018.
- Consumption of non-alcoholic wines (under 5.5% alcohol) is also up to £48 million (US$60.62 million) in revenue in 2018, as well as non-alcoholic spirits, at £5 million (US$6.31 million).
- These products are expected to grow even more: the low/no-alcohol category CAGR through 2022 is expected to be 81.1% for spirits, 6.6% for wine and 4.9% for beer.
MOTIVATION
- The main reason for consumers in the UK to switch to non-alcoholic beverages (or low-alcoholic) is health. According to Nielsen, an increase in health-consciousness in the country is what is leading this interest in non-alcoholic drinks.
- Consumption has also increased aided by the widening of selection of non-alcoholic drinks in establishments across the UK, which furthers consumers' conviction to stay off alcohol.
- Several celebrities have also begun endorsing a sober life, which increase awareness and attention to the lifestyle.
- The number of Brits who do not drink at all increased 35% in five years, to the current 5.4 million.
- Over 25% of the UK population wants to cut down on alcohol consumption. This number goes up to 65% in the 25 to 34 population.
- Despite soft drinks leading the non-alcoholic drinks market, many shoppers are also aware of how sugar affects their health — meaning they turn instead to a non-alcoholic version of spirits.
KEY AUDIENCES
- In terms of non-alcoholic drinks, Millennials and Gen Zers are the leading audiences.
- Millennials head the sober pack, with 34% saying to be always influenced by how a product affects their health when purchasing alcohol. They are also the most interested in cutting down alcohol, with 65% of them saying they want to consume less (compared to 25% of the total population).
- Gen Zers are reaching adulthood already health-conscious: young people, aged 18 to 24 are more likely than any other group to not drink, and around a fifth do not consume any alcohol at all. A Global Data survey found that 37% said to be often influenced by how a product affects their health and well-being when purchasing an alcoholic drinks.
- Despite the non-alcoholic trend starting with health conscious Brits, citizens in all age groups and all interests show signs of wanting to drop alcohol consumption, according to Nielsen.