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INTERBREW WARNS OF FUTURE CHALLENGES

Published:  23 July, 2008

By Jack Hibberd

The latest edition of the long-running Interbrew UK Market Report (formerly the Whitbread Report) shows that two major trends of recent years - the increasing importance of take-home and the decline of multiple specialist and managed pub chains - are showing no signs of slowing down. The take-home sector saw volume sales of beer increase by 3% in 2003 (AC Nielsen MAT to December 2003) compared to a flat performance in the on-trade. Multiple specialists saw volumes drop by 13%, and there was a 15% drop in managed pub chains. The winners once again were the multiple grocers (+7%) and leased pubs (+8%). At the launch of the report, Steve Cahillane, chief executive of Interbrew UK, called for industry unity to tackle the challenges of the year ahead. The need for beer to communicate a better image, growing concern about alcohol-related problems, the implementation of the new licensing laws and the growing burden of red tape were highlighted. On a positive note, Cahillane said that there was less focus on pricing last year during both periods of peak demand - the summer heatwave and Christmas. This demonstrates that beer does not have to be discounted at times of peak demand,' he said. The full report can be accessed online at www.interbrewmarketreport.co.uk

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