VOLUME GAPS “NARROW CONSIDERABLY” AMONG CATEGORIES

Wine continues to lead the way in dollar growth, but beer has reversed negative trends according to ACNielsen. In the 52 weeks leading up to August 26, 2006, table wine has increased 8.8% in value and 2.9% in volume from the previous year, while spirits was up 4.4% and 1.4%. Beer has shown a bit of a gain with sales jumping 2% and volume rising 0.5%.

As Nick Lake pointed out, volume growth gaps have “narrowed considerably” between the three categories, especially in the 12-week period to August 2006 where they have “almost disappeared on volume.” Table wine, beer and spirits have grown 2.3%, 0% and 0.2% in volume from the previous year’s 12-week period, while also witnessing a 6.6%, 2.6% and 2.9% increase in value for the same period.