Alcohol-related disorder keeps UK drinkers at home

09 June 2006 by
Alcohol-related disorder keeps UK drinkers at home

Alcohol-related disorder on the streets could be driving UK consumers away from pubs and bars and into the supermarkets, according to a new report from Datamonitor.

UK consumers are increasingly opting to stay at home and drink rather than risk becoming involved in drink-related violence, says the report, Escaping the Discount Trap in the Off-Trade.

The much-publicised binge-drinking culture is influencing the declining appeal of the on-trade, with consumers feeling protected from its negative effects when drinking in their own homes, the report suggests.

Competitive pricing and the extensive choice offered by UK supermarkets have also helped fuel the growth in at-home drinking, as has consumers' increasing investment in entertainment media for the home.

Total spending on at-home alcoholic drinks is expected to rise by 15% from £10.8b in 2005 to £12.3b by 2010. Consumption is set to increase from 270.1 million litres of pure alcohol in 2005 to 294.1 million in 2010.

Consumption of alcohol at home stands at 5.7 litres per year per person, against 5.3 litres in the on-trade. Women in particular are downing more drink at home, with a 25% increase in consumption.

Matthew Adams, consumer market analyst and author of the study, said: "Drinking at home leaves women free to enjoy the experience of social bonding with friends but in an environment where they can relax and not worry about safety or social norms."

Datamonitor forecasts the consumption of alcoholic drinks at home by UK women will grow from just under 100 million litres of pure alcohol in 2005 to 124 million in 2010.

By Matthew Batham

World Cup biggest test yet of new drinking laws>>

Alcohol related crime drops after start of new licensing laws>>

Licensing crackdown planned in World Cup>>

Datamonitor report: Oldies drinking less but spending more>>

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week -

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking