Offering alcoholic drinks self-serve options will help on-trade operators to drive sales, particularly if they call out the benefits to consumers, such as reduced wait times. Self-serve options for alcoholic…
UK
Alcoholic Drinks
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UK Alcoholic Drinks Review: 2026
"A focus on at-home occasions is key to driving sales in 2026. Addressing ultra-processed perceptions is needed to support long-term sales."
Alice Baker, Food and Drink Analyst
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for alcoholic drinks
Opportunities
Elevate at-home occasions to drive sales in 2026
Highlight local support and offer self-serve formats to boost on-trade sales
Emphasize tradition and ingredients to combat ultra-processed image
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Market factors
Weak consumer confidence will hinder alcohol sales in 2026
Various factors will push up alcohol prices in 2026-31
Decline in pub numbers continues in 2025
Widespread alcohol moderation and healthy eating focus are key barriers
Ageing population will hinder some alcoholic drinks while benefiting others
Graph 1: trends in the age structure of the UK population, 2020-25 and 2025-30
Market size
Market size and forecast of alcoholic drinks
Graph 2: market value forecast for alcoholic drinks, 2019-30
Rising values and falling volume sales projected for 2025-30
Volume sales fall faster in the on- than off-trade in 2025
Graph 3: value sales of alcoholic drinks, by on- and off-trade, 2023-25
Beer leads the category; all segments bar RTDs lose volumes in 2025
Graph 4: total value sales of alcoholic drinks, by segment, 2023-25
Leading beer brands lose sales in 2025-26 as shoppers trade up and down
Graph 5: retail value sales of alcoholic drinks, by top 10 brands, 2023/24-2025/26
Mixed results for leading alcohol brands in 2025-26
THE CONSUMER
Elevate everyday at-home occasions to drive alcoholic drinks sales
More consumers are drinking dark and white spirits and ale/bitter/stout since 2025
Graph 6: consumption of alcoholic drinks in the last three months, by type, 2025 and 2026
Continued income squeeze will affect some drinks more than others
Graph 7: consumption of alcoholic drinks in the last three months by type, by how people describe their household finances, 2026
Beer and wine are equally popular for drinking at-home
Being seen as relaxing and refreshing is key for ‘ordinary’ at-home occasions
Offer seasonal flavours and branded glasses to elevate the at-home drinking experience
At-home social occasions offer good opportunities
Use special packaging designs to boost appeal for seasonal occasions
Emphasise localism and explore self-serve options to boost on-trade sales
Many people associate pubs with the local community
Highlight support for local brands and talent
‘Support your local pub’ messaging is crucial for beer brands
Self-serve options in pubs appeal widely
Drive experimentation with self-service bars
Minimal processing, ingredient provenance and low-alcohol support usage
Four in 10 see alcoholic drinks as ultra-processed
Perceptions of alcoholic drinks as ultra-processed are strongest among under-35s
Emphasise ‘real’ ingredients and their origins
Prove lower-ABV options’ clean-label credentials
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Low-/no-alcohol alternatives continue to be in demand
Drive curiosity with fruity and sweet treat flavours
Celebrity and TV tie-in launches continue
Competition heats up in RTDs
Social connections and unconventionality are among key themes in alcohol advertising in 2025
APPENDIX
Market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size & forecast – volumes
Graph 8: market volume forecast for alcoholic drinks, 2019-30
Market forecast and prediction intervals – values
Market forecast and prediction intervals – volumes
Market factors – retail price inflation for alcoholic drinks
Graph 9: RPI inflation for beer, wine & spirits and all items, 2021-25
Channels to market – values
Channels to market – volumes
Market segmentation
Market share – values
Market share – volumes
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
UK generation groups
Abbreviations
UK Alcoholic Drinks Industry – Trends and Insights
Offering alcoholic drinks self-serve options will help on-trade operators to drive sales, particularly if they call out the benefits to consumers, such as reduced wait times. Self-serve options for alcoholic drinks in pubs/bars appeal to 43% of category drinkers/buyers (72% of 18-34s).
Continued pressure on household incomes drove down sales of alcoholic drinks in 2025 and will continue to do so in 2026. This makes it crucial for operators to engage with alcohol moderation trend – often driven by saving money – in the short term as well as to shore up their long-term outlook. Addressing perceptions of alcoholic drinks as ultra-processed is also essential for the latter.
A focus on at-home occasions, including ‘ordinary’ occasions as well as social and celebratory ones, is key for brands to drive sales in 2026 while financial constraints continue to curb out-of-home socializing.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The impact of the income squeeze on value and volume sales of alcoholic drinks in the on- and off-trade in 2025-26
Purchasing of different types of alcoholic drinks for at-home occasions, including both ‘ordinary’ and special occasions
Opportunities to support sales of alcoholic drinks through the on-trade
Perceptions of alcoholic drinks as ultra-processed, and the potential effect of this on sales
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