Beer in the United Kingdom 2008: A Comprehensive Guide to the Size and Shape of the...

Beer in the United Kingdom 2008: A Comprehensive Guide to the Size and Shape of the Market at a National Level

DUBLIN, Ireland--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/923758/beer_in_the_united)
has announced the addition of the "Beer in the United Kingdom 2008"
report to their offering.

Beer in the United Kingdom market report provides the latest
retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving
growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and
offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be
they new product developments, packaging innovations,
economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues.
Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

The ban on smoking in public places was the key story of 2007. The
smoking ban went nationwide on 1 July, as England followed Wales,
Northern Ireland and Scotland. The smoking ban has led to a decline in
visits to pubs by smokers, a trend accelerated by the poor weather
Britain experienced in 2007, as well as the continuing promotions in
the off-trade. The poor weather has to some extent hindered moves made
by pubs to improve their outdoor facilities to accommodate smokers.
Beer gardens, outside seating areas and shelters have all been brought
in over the last year to cater for smokers, and publicans have looked
to food and family-friendly environments to entice people back to the
pubs.

Beer sales declined by 4% in volume in 2007, which compares rather
unfavourably with the 1% annual average volume decline over the review
period as a whole. 2007 was a tougher than average year for beer, as
the poor weather put paid to a repeat of the outside drinking
witnessed in 2005 and 2006, and the lack of a significant sports event
led to a hangover for many publicans who had reaped the harvest of the
FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Standard beer varieties are driving the sector at the moment, with
imported standard lager sector showing substantial growth of 91%
making it the fastest growing beer type by quite some distance.
Imported standard lager has benefited from a slew of new launches, as
the multinational brewers have looked to introduce lower ABV session
lagers and brand extensions.

Discounting continues to be the key off-trade trend. Supermarkets
continued to use beer as a loss-leading footfall driver, with cases of
24 bottles of Budweiser dropping to prices as low as GBP 14.
Supermarkets have not been forced to respond to criticism and lobbying
thus far, but the discount culture continues to make enemies.

The key trend in the on-trade has been the introduction of greater
food offerings and family meals. This has impacted beer sales in some
instances, as many people preferred drinking wine with their meals,
and the increase in the number of children meant soft drink sales
increased again at the expense of beer at the taps and in the cellars,
where the move towards other drinks put pressure on space given to
beer.

There have been a few developments in low-alcohol beer, with the
release of a number of new products. However, despite the new
releases, British drinkers have yet to warm to lower strength beers.
Guinness Mid-Strength saw greater testing in 2007, but with still no
firm indication whether it would hit the mainstream. Despite industry
scepticism, Coors persisted with Carling C2, with greater advertising
spend. Initial reports suggest that C2 is struggling and currently has
one of highest returns rate in the industry.

The leading trend in the ales and stouts subsectors was once again
a focus on the off-trade. Guinness stepped up its off-trade
advertising as it sought to shore up sales all year round and move
away from on-trade spikes around St Patrick's Day and the Six Nations
rugby tournament. Premium ale manufacturers continued to introduce
more exotic varieties to expand their presence in the supermarkets,
and create the esoteric cachet that wine enjoys.

Why buy this report

- Get insight into trends in market performance

- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change

- Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive
environment

Product coverage

- Dark beer; Lager by origin; Lager by price platform;
Low/non-alcohol beer; Stout

Key Topics Covered:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Falling Sectors

Tesco Town Gathers Pace

Pause for Thought in Consolidating Market

Shift in the Taste Paradigm

Looking Forward

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS - KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Pouring Legislation on the Fire

Economic Uncertainty

The Way We Socialise

Heritage

Specialist Retailers

Summary 1 Leading Specialist Retailers 2006

Market Merger and Acquisition Activity

Summary 2 Speculated Merger and Acquisition Activity 2007-2008

MARKET INDICATORS

For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/923758/beer_in_the_united

Source: Euromonitor International

Research and Markets
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716
press@researchandmarkets.com

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