New research compiled by Accolade Wines shows that wine sales are falling behind total alcohol sales in the on-trade.

The WineNation UK Report 2011 reveals that in the 12 weeks to 6 August total wine sales are down -5.6% compared with the same period last year, while total alcohol sales are only down -2.8% over the same period.

In the food-led pub sector, the figures show a more dramatic difference, with total alcohol sales up +6.7% and total wine sales down -3.4%.

Ian Anderson, director of category development and insights at Accolade Wine, attributed this decline to a combination of factors. 'Wine prices have increased above the level of duty and above the rest of the alcohol category,' he said, adding that wine is also facing increasing competition from new products such as fruit ciders, as well as a growth in the cocktail market.

To help tackle this decline, Anderson announced that in January Accolade will be launching an online service that will allow individual on-trade outlets to access data about wine consumers in their area. The site will also assist venues to prepare a targeted wine offering, assisted by free POS material.

News item from Imbibe.com, 23-11-2011