Shelf space increases for beer while pricing stays strong
According to an article today in Wine and Spirits Daily, the number of items handled for wine and spirits was flat in 2009 versus the past couple of years, while the average retailer added 11 beer items last year, mainly crafts and domestic super-premiums.
Wine and spirits pricing has gone down, while beer in general continues to increase. Price change versus a year ago for beer grew 0.9%, while wine pricing declined -1.4% and spirits pricing grew 0.4% at a much smaller rate than a year ago.
Craft beers in general have shown strong growth in the recession, taking consumption from imported beers, super-premium wines and ultra-premium spirits.
In the 52 weeks to January 9, dollar value growth for beer grew 1.7%, wine gained 2.9% and spirits grew 1%. Volume growth for beer declined -0.7%, wine grew 1.4% and spirits gained 0.9%.