Soft Drinks: Time to change

It seems everywhere we look at the moment in the on-trade, change is happening often at a rapid pace. Britvic have released their 2023 SOFT DRINKS REVIEW and no surprises they have highlighted that “Licensed venues operating in Britain are at a pivotal moment and the industry needs to rethink their drinks offering in order to stay ahead of the game.”

In the review they highlight that overall, 35% of consumers say they are drinking fewer drinks when they go out with 11% say they are choosing higher quality drinks.¹ What’s more, 32% of consumers have increased their overall spend on cocktails² and 92% say they are now choosing cocktails that are better quality, or of the same quality, when they go out for a drink² Consumers are associating ‘additional health benefits’ with quality too, with 45% equating such benefits with value and 43% stating that they value claims relating to naturalness.³

“We’re expecting low and no alcohol on-trade volumes to grow by a huge 48%” comments Dino Labbate, GB commercial director for hospitality at Britvic.

Are you seeing these changes in consumer behaviour in your pub or bar and if so how are you reacting? The review also includes top tips to help licensed operators adapt their non-alcoholic drinks offerings such as stocking up on premium mixers to push margins higher. To view the REVIEW review click HERE.

1. CGA Cost of Living Consumer Pulse December 2022 UK & Ireland - P16
2. CGA mixed drinks report Q3 2022
3. Mintel: Recession and the cost of living crisis: Key challenges and opportunities for brands in the UK January 2023