Beer sales down by 1.8 million pints a day

Published: 27 October, 2008

The decline in beer sales in the UK is accelerating, reveal figures from the British Beer & Pub Association out today.

The decline in beer sales in the UK is accelerating, reveal figures from the British Beer & Pub Association out today.

Beer sales fell by 7.2% in the three months to September, with sales in pubs falling even faster, down by 8.1%.

Sales in supermarkets and off-licences were down by 6%.

The overall drop of 7.2% represents an increase over the 4.5% drop in the previous quarter.

In total, 161 million fewer pints were sold in July to September this year, compared with the same period in 2007 - a fall of 1.8 million pints a day.

The fall in supermarkets is the first decline recorded in this sector since the second quarter of 2007.

In the year to September 2008, beer sales fell by 4.4% compared with the previous year.

Sales in pubs, bars and restaurants were down by 9%, while sales in supermarkets and off-licences rose by 2.1%.

BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward said: "The accelerating decline in beer sales is a clear sign of a worsening economy, worried households and weakening spending."

He urged the government to ease tax constraints and the regulatory burden on the industry.

"They must abandon their current plans to increase beer taxes by a third through a new tax escalator," Hayward said.

"They should also pull back from their current alcohol policy agenda which would introduce even more regulation on how alcohol is produced and sold in Britain."