Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Liberty Wines reports record sales as consumer confidence and spending grows

Published:  19 December, 2013

Liberty Wines, the national wine distributor, has reported record sales and is taking on more staff to cope with demand.

In an end of year report, managing director, David Gleave, said there are real signs of optimism for the trade as a whole as there are "positive signs that people are eating out more and trading up when purchasing wine to enjoy at home".

Not only did the company have a record sales month in October for the UK and Ireland its two month performance, taking in November, was "significantly up when compared to the same period in the previous year," said Gleave. October was up 26% and November up 13%.

Gleave added: "Building on this growth, we have made a significant investment across the company to expand the team, including additional sales staff in the London area. We believe we have the right people in place to fuel our continued growth through the year ahead and beyond."

Liberty Wines said there are clear trends emerging from the London on-trade market where "consumers are sticking to familiar wine styles but trading up the list". "Sales of our Ponte del Diavolo Pinot Grigio have increased by more than 200%, selling primarily to the on-trade, when compared to the same period last year. This wine sells for around £25 on a restaurant wine list," said Gleave.

David Gleave

It said the growth in Prosecco continues, particularly in London where it is having success with its Prosecco Colli Euganei.

"In Scotland and the north of England we have seen consumers willing to pay more per bottle, primarily when buying in the off-trade. This is supported by Nielsen data which shows an increase in purchases of wine above £8 a bottle."

He concluded: "Although it remains a challenging trading environment, we are delighted to see positive sales in the run up to Christmas."

 

Keywords: