UK Beer Sales Continue to Fall
UK beer sales fell 2.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, according to the British Beer & Pub Association’s quarterly Beer Barometer. The loss in sales of this iconic British product took place in the pub sector, which was down 5.5 per cent.
Off trade sales were more stable, rising 0.1 per cent compared with the first quarter in 2012. The association is pointing out that the long winter will certainly have hit business in pubs, and the period largely precedes the unprecedented cut in beer duty in the Budget on 20th March and other Budget changes which should help pubs.
The decline in pub sales reflects the trend in recent years, says the BBPA. The pub sales decline represents the loss of 49.8 million pub pints over the same quarter in 2012.
Brigid Simmonds OBE, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “The figures show the Chancellor was right to cut Beer Duty and abolish the escalator, given the huge tax rises in recent years. We would hope to see the benefits in second quarter sales, where brewers, pubs and pub goers will see Beer Tax rates at nearly seven per cent lower than they were due to be.”
She adds: “Beer has a very special place in pubs, and accounts for 68 per cent of pub drinks’ sales. The duty cut has seen brewers and pub companies passing on the reduction to customers. It will encourage brewers and pubs to invest and create jobs.”
