UK drinkers increasingly choose low and no alcohol products all year round and not just for Dry January. That’s according to the fourth annual YouGov online study commissioned by marketing regulator the Portman Group.
The research shows that almost one in three UK drinkers now ‘semi-regularly’ consume low and no alcohol products compared to one in four in 2020. In addition, 20% of those who have tried low and no alcohol say they are more likely to drink these products now compared to a year ago, almost double the number saying this in last year’s survey.
The most popular reason for consumers who have tried low and no alcohol to drink these products continues to be ‘being able to drive home from social events’ (33%), followed by reducing the possibility of health concerns or current medical reasons (22%).
The study reveals that across the UK there were increases in the number of low and no consumers. Welsh drinkers top the chart as most likely to be semi-regular low/no drinkers at 36% of respondents, compared to 22% in 2020. English consumers come in at 32% up from 25%. In Scotland 29% of consumers are semi-regular drinkers, up from 27%.
Matt Lambert, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, said: “As these positive findings show, there has been a big increase in drinking low and no during the pandemic, indicating that many UK drinkers have looked to moderate their alcohol consumption by swapping with non-alcoholic options. These figures show the fruits of large industry innovation and investment into the sector over the past decade to provide consumers with an array of lower alcohol options.”
