Gin sales hit record high as consumers bought the equivalent of a bottle for every adult in the UK

Figure 27% higher in volume than 2016

Josie Clark
Sunday 11 March 2018 01:03 GMT
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There are now well over 100 British gin brands on the market, a doubling of the number since 2011
There are now well over 100 British gin brands on the market, a doubling of the number since 2011

Gin sales hit a record high at Christmas after consumers bought the equivalent of a bottle for every adult in the UK last year, according to latest figures.

The festive period saw sales rise by £104m compared with the previous year, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Over 16 million bottles of gin, worth £413m, were sold in the 12 weeks to the end of December – an extra three and a half million bottles bought or 28 per cent in volume on the 2016 festive season.

Britain’s love for the tipple made gin a popular gift at Christmas, along with a wide range of gin-themed gifts such as gin baubles, gin advent calendars and gin glassware.

And over the last year, Britons bought a whopping 51 million bottles of the juniper-flavoured spirit, according to the WSTA.

The figure is 27 per cent higher in volume, the equivalent of more than nine and a half million more bottles, than 2016.

The rapid growth in UK distilleries and the increasing number of gin brands arriving on the market last year helped the record-breaking sales.

There are now 315 distilleries in the UK, more than double the number that were operating five years ago.

And there are now well over 100 British gin brands on the market, a doubling of the number since 2011.

Last year was also a record-breaking year for British gin exports, which broke the £500m barrier to hit £530m in value sales.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “We were amazed by the growth of gin in 2016, but 2017 sales of the quintessentially British spirit have surpassed all records again.

“At the WSTA we are constantly being asked what is the magic formula behind the growth in gin sales. It is a delightful combination of a quality British product steeped in history combined with skilful innovation by UK distillers who are producing a huge range of gins catering for the consumers’ increasingly sophisticated palettes.

“The versatility of gin with its diverse use of botanicals means there is now a gin out there for everyone. The popularity of giving gin as a gift means we are expecting sparkling sales for Mother’s Day.”

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