Tesco is predicting record demand for no and low alcohol beer, wines and spirits this Christmas as it has seen its strongest ever sales in 2023.
This year, demand has soared more than 20%, while sales of no and low alcohol wine rose by nearly 15% and demand for spirit alternatives grew by almost 10%.
Tesco found that throughout the year, demand is only getting stronger as it was 25% higher in the first three weeks of the June heatwave than it was for the first three weeks of ‘Dry January’.
Tesco cited new found shopper confidence in the quality of drinks, greater interest in health, an increase in product choice and ease of selection in stores with all products sitting in their own fixture as the main reasons for the boom in no and low alcohol.
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The supermarket giant has also said the launch of celebrity-owned alternatives has added to the success of the category as pop star Kylie Minogue’s 0% Sparkling Rose, which launched in Tesco last year, has now become one of the UK’s top-selling premium no alcohol wines, according to Nielsen data.
As a result, the grocery retailer has ordered in extra stock as it prepares for its strongest ever demand in December.
Tesco no and low alcohol wine buyer Joe Odling said: “Based on the huge demand throughout the year we are anticipating this festive season to not only be bigger than Dry January just gone, but to be the biggest Christmas ever for no and low drinks.
“A few years ago no and low alcohol drinks might have been a consideration to have on hand for special occasions but, as our latest sales data shows, they’ve become mainstream and are now popular all year round.
“We’ve also made it easier than ever for customers to find no and low alcohol drinks as they all sit alongside each in the same aisle.”
