2025
9
UK White Spirits and RTDs Market Report 2025
2025-02-27T10:02:48+00:00
REP794A746C_43F4_45DC_B410_8F4C65E092EB
2995
179941
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Premixed versions of forgotten historical cocktails appeal to 41% of adults (57% among 18-34s). Such historical cocktails can help to drive purchase of RTDs for…
UK
Spirits and RTD
simple

UK White Spirits and RTDs Market Report 2025

UK White Spirits and RTDs Market Analysis

The UK white spirits and RTDs market has faced volatility, with volume sales declining from 2021 to the last year, due to economic pressures and the growing trend of alcohol moderation. In 2024, the market dropped around 3.5% in volume sales compared to 2019, reflecting the ongoing shifts in the White Spirits Market and the growing demand for RTD alcoholic beverages market.

Looking ahead, the market is forecasted to grow significantly in value in the foreseeable future, driven by improved financial confidence and income growth, though volume sales will see slower growth. Trends towards alcohol moderation will continue to shape consumption, spurring demand for low-/no-alcohol options and RTDs.

UK White Spirits and RTDs Market Consumer Trends

Consumer trends in the UK white spirits and RTDs market show a shift towards moderation, affordability, and convenience. While more than half of adults drink white spirits, and a large portion consume RTDs, both are typically consumed infrequently. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18-34, are the main consumers, drinking these products more often. Price sensitivity is high, with many opting for own-label and lower-priced RTDs due to economic pressures. Interest in low-/no-alcohol alternatives is growing, though taste and price concerns limit adoption. Social occasions at home remain a key context for purchases, with white spirits and RTDs mostly bought for personal use, although gifting potential exists, especially with unique flavours and attractive packaging.

Purchasing the full report provides valuable insights into consumer behaviour, evolving market trends, and detailed market segmentation, enabling you to refine your strategy and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic white spirits and RTDs cocktail market.

About The Report

This report offers valuable insights into the UK white spirits and RTDs market, covering key trends, consumer preferences, and emerging segments like low-/no-alcohol options and RTDs innovation. It provides data on product categories (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, mezcal, and RTDs), consumer behaviour, and the impact of economic factors and social occasions on purchasing. The White Spirits Market Trends and UK Ready To Drink Cocktails Market Trends are thoroughly examined to provide a comprehensive overview. Additionally, it explores the competitive landscape, highlighting top-performing brands and market shifts. This report is ideal for manufacturers, distributors, marketers, and strategy planners looking to stay ahead of trends and make informed, data-driven decisions in the White Spirits Market and RTD alcoholic beverages market.

Key Topics Analysed in the Report

  • The short- and long-term impact of the cost of living crisis and price inflation on value and volume sales of white spirits and RTDs in the on- and off-trade
  • Who and what occasions white spirits and RTDs are bought for, including buying for self, gifting and entertaining
  • Leading factors influencing purchase of white spirits as a gift, including special offers, unique ingredients and brand loyalty
  • Patterns in alcohol moderation and barriers to greater uptake of low-/no-alcohol alternatives to white spirits
  • Trends in launch activity in the white spirits and RTDs category, and opportunities for innovation.

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report was written by Alice Baker. Alice analyses and writes on the UK Food & Drink sector, having joined Mintel in January 2016. She has previously worked for the International Meat Trade Association and in local government. She holds a BA in History and an MA in History of Political Thought from University College London.

Growing alcohol moderation means brands cannot ignore the low-/no-alcohol opportunity, but to succeed they need to address barriers such as price concerns.

Alice Baker, Mintel AnalystAlice Baker
Food and Drink Analyst

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • Opportunities for the white spirits and RTDs market
    • Address barriers to low-/no-alcohol versions of white spirits to support category sales
    • Targeting at-home social occasions remains relevant in 2025
    • Premixed versions of historical cocktails have contemporary relevance
    • Market dynamics and outlook
    • Market size & forecast
    • Market predictions
    • Value sales to surge forward in 2027, then slow in 2028-29
    • On-trade loses ground to retail in 2024
    • Graph 1: value sales of white spirits and RTDs, by on- and off-trade, 2022-24
    • Vodka and gin struggle while RTDs push forward
    • Graph 2: white spirits and RTDs value sales, by segment, 2022-24
    • Leading white spirits and RTDs brands face increased competition
    • Graph 3: retail value sales of vodka, by top five brands, 2021/22-23/24
    • Price inflation in spirits slows in 2024, but further price rises loom in 2025
    • Graph 4: RPI inflation for wine & spirits and all items, 2021-24
    • What consumers want and why
    • Three in five drink white spirits, and two in five drink RTDs, though most do so only occasionally
    • Graph 5: frequency of drinking white spirits and RTDs, 2024
    • White spirits and RTDs buying closely aligns with usage, 18-34s are key target
    • Graph 6: who white spirits and RTDs are bought for, 2024
    • Look to unique flavours to unlock potential in gifting
    • Graph 7: factors influencing purchase of white spirits as a gift, 2024
    • Need to address barriers to low-/no-alcohol spirits; historical cocktail RTDs attract strong interest
    • Graph 8: behaviours relating to white spirits and RTDs, 2024
    • Innovation and marketing
    • Low-/lower-/no-alcohol and colourful spirits and crossover RTDs launches continue in 2024
    • Examples of new product launches in the white spirits category in 2024
    • Diageo and Bacardi’s advertising lead falls back in 2024
    • Graph 9: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on white spirits* and RTDs, by top five advertisers, 2021-24
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market size
    • Value and volume sales decline in 2024 as consumer spending remains cautious
    • Graph 10: total value sales of white spirits and RTDs, 2019-24
    • Graph 11: total volume sales of white spirits and RTDs, 2019-24
    • Value and volume sales of white spirits and RTDs struggle over 2021-24
    • Market forecast
    • Value sales growth to leap ahead and then slow in 2027-29
    • Consumers’ improved finances after 2027 will boost volume sales, though hindered by the alcohol moderation trend
    • Value sales growth to outpace volume sales in 2024-29
    • Market segmentation and channels to market
    • On-trade’s fortunes decline further in 2024 amid cautious consumer spending and poor spring-summer weather
    • Graph 12: value sales of white spirits and RTDs, by on- and off-trade, 2022-24
    • Vodka leads on values; all white spirits lose volumes in 2024
    • Graph 13: white spirits and RTDs value sales, by segment, 2022-24
    • Graph 14: white spirits and RTDs volume sales, by segment, 2022-24
    • Tequila grows retail value sales in 2024
    • Graph 15: change in value sales of white spirits and RTDs in the on- and off-trade, by segment, 2024
    • RTDs gain sales in the off-trade in 2024
    • Graph 16: growth in value and volume sales of RTDs through the off-trade, 2023-24
    • Market share
    • Smirnoff continues to lead retail vodka segment but struggles in 2024
    • Graph 17: retail value sales of vodka, by top five brands, 2021/22-23/24
    • Leading vodka brands in retail lose sales as shoppers economise
    • Graph 18: change in retail value and volume sales of top three vodka brands and own-label, 2024*
    • Vodka brands outside the top eight gain ground in 2024
    • Bombay Sapphire, Whitley Neill and own-label gain share in a declining gin segment
    • Graph 19: retail value sales of gin, by top five brands, 2022-24
    • Tanqueray fares better than Gordon’s in 2024
    • Bombay Sapphire and Whitley Neil benefit from savvy shopping behaviours
    • Bacardi loses ground to own-label in 2024
    • Graph 20: retail value sales of white rum, by top three brands, 2022-24
    • Sierra and Jose Cuervo dominate tequila, but face increased competition
    • Graph 21: retail value sales of tequila/mezcal, by top three brands, 2021/22-23/24
    • Challenger brands and own-label grow share in the tequila/mezcal segment
    • Graph 22: growth in retail value sales of Altos and other tequila/mezcal brands and own-label, 2024
    • Gordon’s leads the RTDs segment by value, and WKD on volumes
    • Graph 23: retail value sales of RTD alcoholic drinks, by top five brands, 2021/22-23/24
    • Gordon’s and WKD lose ground as competition ramps up in RTDs
    • Graph 24: change in retail value and volume sales of top five RTD alcoholic drinks brands and own-label, 2024*
    • Au, Dragon Soop and Funkin surge forward in 2024
    • Increased distribution and visibility help challenger RTDs brands to grow
    • Own-label takes sales from brands in 2024
    • Market drivers
    • Consumers’ reduced sense of financial wellbeing drives down category volume sales in 2024
    • Graph 25: the financial wellbeing index, 2016-25
    • Consumer confidence is crucial for the category
    • Graph 26: the financial confidence index, 2016-24
    • Inflation in wine and spirits slows in 2024, but remains ahead of 2022
    • Graph 27: RPI inflation for wine & spirits and all items, 2021-24
    • Further price rises loom in 2025
    • Decline in pubs set to continue in 2024/25
    • Projected growth of 20-34 year olds augurs well for white spirits and RTDs
    • Graph 28: trends in the age structure of the population, 2020-25 and 2025-30
    • Increased alcohol moderation impedes category sales in 2024
    • Graph 29: alcohol reduction and non-usage*, 2022-24
    • Growing alcohol moderation offers opportunities for RTDs and low-/no-alcohol spirits alternatives
    • Consumers’ increased commitment to healthy eating supports alcohol moderation
    • Graph 30: how often people try to eat healthily, 2022 and 2024
    • Lacklustre spring-summer in 2024 dampens category sales
    • Graph 31: total hours of sunshine, by season, 2019-24
  3. WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY

    • Usage of white spirits and RTDs
    • Three in five adults drink white spirits
    • Graph 32: usage of white spirits, by type, 2023 and 2024
    • A third of drinkers drink white spirits or RTDs once a week or more
    • Graph 33: frequency of drinking white spirits and RTDs, 2024
    • Under-35s are the key target
    • Under-35s are the key white spirits drinkers
    • Graph 34: usage of white spirits, by type, by age group, 2024
    • Few people drink white spirits neat
    • Graph 35: drinking of different serves of white spirits, by type, 2024
    • Two in five adults drink RTDs
    • Graph 36: usage of RTD alcoholic drinks, by type, 2023-24
    • Under-35s and the financially better-off are the core RTDs drinkers
    • Graph 37: usage of RTD alcoholic drinks (nets), by age group, 2024
    • Who white spirits and RTDs are bought for
    • Half of adults buy white spirits, and four in ten buy RTDs
    • Graph 38: who white spirits and RTDs are bought for, 2024
    • Boost non-drinkers’ confidence to buy white spirits for others
    • Strengthen white spirits and RTDs’ associations with at-home socialising to drive purchase
    • At-home social occasions remain relevant as a purchase prompt for white spirits
    • Further explore limited-edition and other less common variants to drive purchase for entertaining
    • Under-35s are the key audience to target
    • Graph 39: who white spirits are bought for, by age group, 2024
    • Graph 40: who RTDs are bought for, by age group, 2024
    • White spirits are dependent on consumers’ financial health, RTDs less so
    • Graph 41: purchase of any white spirits, by how people describe their household finances
    • Factors influencing purchase of white spirits as a gift
    • Gifting has potential to drive repeat purchase
    • Multiple options to drive purchase of white spirits as a gift
    • Graph 42: factors influencing purchase of white spirits as a gift, 2024
    • Unique flavours and attractive packaging prompt purchase for gifting among under-35s
    • Graph 43: selected factors influencing purchase of white spirits as a gift, by age group, 2024
    • Highlight positive user reviews at POS ahead of gifting occasions
    • Feature white spirits in loyalty schemes to drive purchase for gifting
    • Graph 44: influence of brand/retail activations on food and drink purchase*, among those who typically buy food/drink as gifts, 2024
    • ‘Gift guides’ for loyalty scheme members and cross-category gift packages should appeal to many
    • Team white spirits with items that boost the aesthetics of the serve
    • In-store displays help to engage gift buyers
    • Brands need fans to not be shy about their preferences
    • Graph 45: importance of a brand the recipient likes when buying white spirits as a gift, by age group, 2024
    • Encourage drinkers to display their white spirits in their home
    • Encouraging fans to upcycle bottles should help brands to appear relevant to people’s lifestyles
    • Flavoured variants can appeal as a fresh version of recipients’ established favourites
    • Behaviours relating to white spirits and RTDs
    • Low-/no-alcohol white spirits alternatives have various barriers to overcome
    • Graph 46: behaviours relating to white spirits and RTDs, 2024
    • Tackle barriers to low-/no-alcohol white spirits to grow take-up
    • Further innovation in low-/no-alcohol versions is essential, but these have barriers to overcome
    • Explore smaller formats, including RTDs, to overcome the price barrier
    • Sampling should help address consumer doubts over low-/no-alcohol spirits’ mixability
    • Boost low-/no-alcohol variants’ visibility in the on-trade
    • Offer more pairing prompts for low-/no-alcohol spirits alternatives at POS
    • RTD versions of historical cocktails have their time to shine
    • Premixed versions of forgotten cocktails from history appeal to many
    • Graph 47: interest in RTDs based on forgotten cocktail recipes from history, by frequency of drinking RTDs, 2024
    • Historical revival cocktails can drive purchase for at-home socialising
    • Past eras offer a wealth of inspiration for brands
    • Consumer interest in historical cocktails can also benefit the unmixed spirits
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING TRENDS

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Low-/no- and lower-alcohol white spirit launches continue in 2024
    • Retailers and niche brands offer low-/no-alcohol premixed cocktails
    • Brands and retailers continue to improve the sustainability of their packaging in 2024
    • White spirits launches highlight their good environmental practices
    • Colourful spirits trend continues in 2024
    • Willow Tree Distilling adds colour-changing gin
    • Autumn/winter seasonal launches continue in white spirits…
    • …and even more so in RTDs
    • Own-label RTDs target at-home celebrations with larger formats
    • Leading RTDs brands expand their ranges
    • Brands from other categories cross over into white spirits…
    • …and into RTDs
    • Competition heats up in RTDs
    • White spirits from less familiar source countries arrive in the UK
    • RTD launches in 2024 take inspiration from various sources
    • Celebrity launches continue in 2024
    • White spirits and RTDs draw inspiration from popular culture
    • Retailers give RTDs more in-store prominence
    • Advertising and marketing activity
    • Diageo and Bacardi’s advertising lead falters in 2024
    • Graph 48: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on white spirits* and RTDs, by top five advertisers, 2021-24
    • Smirnoff focuses on sensory appeal and Mexican inspiration in adverts for Spicy Tamarind
    • Social media buzz around Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind centres around occasions
    • Smirnoff continues its focus on social connections and offers a holiday
    • Bullards highlights its provenance and sustainable credentials
    • Altos emphasises its premium credentials
    • White spirits and RTDs brands continue to target summer occasions
    • ‘Other’ RTDs brands ramp up their marketing activity in 2024
    • Aesthetics-led cocktail trends continue in 2024
  5. APPENDIX

    • Appendix: market segmentation and channels to market – values
    • Appendix: market segmentation and channels to market – volumes
    • Appendix: vodka value sales – brands
    • Appendix: vodka volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: vodka value sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: vodka volume sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: gin value sales – brands
    • Appendix: gin volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: gin value sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: gin volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: white rum value sales – brands
    • Appendix: white rum volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: white rum value sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: white rum volume sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: tequila/mezcal value sales – brands
    • Appendix: tequila/mezcal volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: tequila/mezcal value sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: tequila/mezcal volume sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: RTDs value sales – brands
    • Appendix: RTDs volume sales – brands
    • Appendix: RTDs value sales – brand owners
    • Appendix: RTDs volume sales – brand owners
    • Supplementary data
    • UK seasonal temperatures
    • UK seasonal rainfall
    • Market forecast data and methodology
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals (volume)
    • Forecast methodology
    • Report scope and definitions
    • Market definition (1)
    • Market definition (2)
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Infegy Atlas – coverage
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage

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