Beer and Wine Growth Sparks Optimism
In the four weeks ending January 24, total alcohol sales grew 1.6% from year earlier levels to $7.8 billion, although case volume was down 0.1% from a year earlier, NIQ reports. Dollar sales accelerated to $1.9 billion in the week (w/e Jan. 24).from $1.
In the four weeks ending January 24, total alcohol sales grew 1.6% from year earlier levels to $7.8 billion, although case volume was down 0.1% from a year earlier, NIQ reports. Dollar sales accelerated to $1.9 billion in the week (w/e Jan. 24).from $1.8 billion a week earlier. Sales increased 9.1% WoW, revealing that industry momentum is slowly strengthening as January sales near conclusion.
What explains this? Prepared Cocktails growth accelerated into late January, with dollar sales up 8.9% and case sales i[ 2.6%. Beer was up 1.1% in dollar sales, versus down 0.9% in the prior four weeks ended Jan. 17, and down -0.3% in volume. Wine also contributed to growth, with value slightly increasing 0.3%, versus -2.9% in the prior period, with volume down by -1.6%.
Spirits was the only category to experience sales losses, with dollar sales down -1.6%, though the trends were much improved versus the -3.5% drop in the prior L4W period, with case volume down -0.5%.
In terms of geography, NIQ said New Jersey and Texas drove steady alcohol sales growth. •Over the last four weeks, New Jersey led this momentum, as dollar sales increased by +4.0%. This was followed by Texas at +3.4% and Illinois at +2.8%, while California recorded the steepest decline at -1.7%.
Volume trends somewhat mirrored these results. NIQ said.. Texas led with volume up 3.2%, followed by New Jersey at 3.1%, while California held the largest decline at 3.4%.
Broader industry resilience is reflected across most key state markets, late-January results signal demand for alcohol stabilizing significantly in New Jersey and Texas. In contrast, while declines slowed, California is falling behind these positive trends, leading losses across both sales and volume.
Off premise results across major retail channels showed improving trends, though performance continued to vary by channel. Liquor saw modest growth, up +0.7%, as well as Food, up +1.9%. Similarly, Mass entered positive territory at +1.5%, Convenience maintained stability, +0.3%. Finally, Club led growth, up by +2.4%. All Others was the sole decliner, down -0.3%.