Warm weather and the World Cup have led to soaring sales of beer and water at Irish supermarkets this summer.
As reported by The Irish Independent, recent market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel for the 12 weeks leading up to July 15 reveal that sales of bottled water at supermarkets rose 27.3% while lager sales increased 11.6%, with an additional seven million pints of lager being sold so far this summer compared to last year.
7 Million Pints
Kantar Worldpanel consumer insight director Douglas Faughnan commented, "This period saw overall sales of take home lager up 11%, or the equivalent of an additional seven million pints, on the same period last year, as shopper numbers increased and consumers bought greater quantities than usual.
"While the hot weather will have provided a welcome boost to overall lager sales, so too will the recent World Cup in Russia."
Water Sales
Meanwhile, addressing the fact that an additional 1.8 million bottles of water have been purchased this summer compared to last year, Faughnan said, "A number of things may have influenced the surge of bottled water sales in Ireland, in particular the recent weather, speculation surrounding water shortages and this month’s hosepipe ban.
"Irish shoppers bought bottled water on 1.8 million more occasions in the latest 12 weeks compared to the same period last year, helping sales grow by over a quarter.
"Furthermore a Europe-wide shortage of CO2 may have stifled sales of carbonated water, which grew at a third of the rate of still water, with retailers and manufacturers shifting their focus to stills where necessary."
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
