Alcohol consumption 'continues to fall'

Really2

Generali wrote: »

Horse's mouth:

http://www.beerandpub.com/newsList_detail.aspx?newsId=355



The answer to my question is "Yes".

It has picked up in supermarkets in terms of sales, but it still does state we are drinking less alcohol by volume.

six per cent decline in total alcohol consumption in 2009, making it the fourth annual decline in five years. UK drinkers are now consuming 13 per cent less alcohol than in 2004.

To me that hints at a social change, or as you rightly point out people would got to the super market if it was just to do with cost. But then you would expect the same volumes or more (being cheaper) to be drunk.

I know this is a silly example, but my local pub hardly anyone is below 30 on a friday or saturday night.
When I was younger 16-25 I could not go to any pub in my old town and not find the vast majority in the under 30 bracket.

The younger have seemed to have not taken it up as much as previous generation where I now live. (but TBH my old town all there was to do was drink )

Radiantsoul

People are more aware of health issues and society is less drink focused. I think 20 years ago the idea of paying more for a coffee than a beer would have been shocking. But Starbuck, etc have made a change. I also reckon people eat out more often. And drinking at lunchtime seems less socially acceptable. Finally people drive more, and drink driving is very taboo especially amongst the young.

JoeyG

Radiantsoul wrote: »

People are more aware of health issues and society is less drink focused. I think 20 years ago the idea of paying more for a coffee than a beer would have been shocking. But Starbuck, etc have made a change. I also reckon people eat out more often. And drinking at lunchtime seems less socially acceptable. Finally people drive more, and drink driving is very taboo especially amongst the young.

Spot on, and 20 years ago the idea of having a meal in a pub was almost unheard of, especially an evening meal... now, you'd be hard pushed to find a pub that doesn't do food, so drink and food are finally going hand-in-hand like they have always done on the continent.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Radiantsoul wrote: »

People are more aware of health issues and society is less drink focused.

I think 20 years ago the idea of paying more for a coffee than a beer would have been shocking.

But Starbuck, etc have made a change. I also reckon people eat out more often. And drinking at lunchtime seems less socially acceptable.


Finally people drive more, and drink driving is very taboo especially amongst the young.

I think Generali has found actual overall spend & consumption is up.

I still find it shocking.

Starbucks have found yet again that it is indeed rip-off Britain.

Funny you should mention that but I find the number of vehicles in ditches at 8am in the morning is actually on the increase...

Really2

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

I think Generali has found actual overall spend & consumption is up.

Consumption as in per unit of alcohol is down.

six per cent decline in total alcohol consumption in 2009, making it the fourth annual decline in five years. UK drinkers are now consuming 13 per cent less alcohol than in 2004.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Really2 wrote: »

Consumption as in per unit of alcohol is down.

Oops.

Still don't see how they came to that conclusion....


I will take it on board & now consider the UK as dry....

StevieJ

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

What I read into it that the financial situation is far worse than most realise.....


Or people really have switched to cheaper brands...

Volume data would be interesting to compare.. But this is done on price alone from HMRC figures.

Or maybe the impact of these characters.

http://www.bargainbooze.co.uk/

I make that 53p a can :eek: I do remember when those cans of Boddies were £1.39 and that was well over 10 years ago.

purch

Strange, how these figures are 'suddenly' released just as talk of setting a minimum price for alcohol starts to gain momentum.

Doncha just love coincidences :beer:

StevieJ

purch wrote: »

Strange, how these figures are 'suddenly' released just as talk of setting a minimum price for alcohol starts to gain momentum.

Doncha just love coincidences :beer:

"We've seen taxes shifting on to beer from other categories of drinks and that is a real problem."
He rejected the introduction of minimum pricing, saying the government should target those who binge drink.
"A minimum price is a blanket measure that will just put up everybody's shopping bill in a time of recession. What we need is targeted measures at those who are misusing alcohol," he said.

As per my link above, 53p for a can of Boddies or Stella doesn't seem excessive from a booze only retailer.

StevieJ

Interesting to check the concentration of these BB shops, this is my area :eek: Looks like the Scousers like to drown their sorrows.

http://www.bargainbooze.co.uk/store-locator/index.html?pri_postcode=ch1

and here is London

http://www.bargainbooze.co.uk/store-locator/index.html?pri_postcode=se1

Is this telling me that the Londoners are:

a) Moderate drinkers
b) Wouldn't be seem dead in a cheap booze store
c) Missing a good business opportunity.