UK | Latest data has revealed that Dry January has been overtaken by Christmas in terms of swapping booze for no or low-alcoholic versions.
While Dry January has been growing in popularity as an event to exercise alcohol restraint, the latest data from Tesco showed that demand for no and low drinks soared even higher during the festive month of December.
The supermarket has just seen record demand for no and low drinks in the four weeks to Christmas, with sales up by more than 15 percent on the previous year.
From a health perspective, that thirst for no and low drinks has continued right into Dry January, with overall demand at Tesco up by more than 20 percent.
No and low wine – demand up 15 percent
No and low beer – demand up 10 percent
No and low spirits – up nearly 5 percent
“It’s almost become trendy, especially in young people, to moderate at these key occasions of the year – something that is very much reflected in the rising demand we are seeing for no and low drinks at Christmas and for Dry January,” said Tesco Beer and Cider buyer David Albon.
“And that’s a very different picture to what we were seeing, even just five years ago, when they main demand for no and low drinks came in Dry January. But there is a now such a strong consumer confidence in the quality of the no and low drinks available that demand also now surges during the summer months.”
No and Low Beer has been the biggest winner in the last year, with shoppers now so confident in the quality of the products available that they buy in multi-pack sizes rather than single bottles or cans. That’s the equivalent in litres of a 20 percent rise on the previous year.
This year, the supermarket included a no/low brew – Lucky Saint’s Alcohol-Free Beer - with its Finest Club Card Meal Deal offering for the first time, which has become popular with customers.
Among the most popular no and low drinks during Dry January have been:
Corona 0.0 percent 12 pack – up by more than 250 percent
Guinness 0 percent 10 packs – up by more than 100 percent
Gordon’s Pink Gin – demand up by 15 percent on last year
Ready to Drink cocktails – up by more than 10 percent
Drinkaware, an independent UK alcohol education charity that helps people make better choices about their drinking, said that the growth in demand for no and low drinks in the last year was very positive.
“It’s fantastic to see the strong demand for no and low alcohol at Christmas, not just in January. Swapping out alcohol for a no or low alternative is fast becoming a popular choice all year round,” said Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware.
“Our research shows that more than four in ten UK drinkers choose these options as a way to moderate their drinking. They also help you stay within the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk guidelines of 14 units a week.”
