During the four weeks ending March 7, Total Alcohol fell below year-ago levels. Dollar sales reached $7.5 billion, down 2.4% vs year ago, while case volume declined -2.6% vs year ago to 143 million cases. NIQ reports.

But looking at each individual week, NIQ found optimism despite reduced consumption. It noted dollar sales increased from $1.85 billion for the week ended Feb. 28. to $1.88 billion in the latest week, ended March 7th), resulting in a slight +1.7% week-over-week increase.

Prepared Cocktails were the only category to see growth, with dollar sales up +5.4%. Case volume grew slightly +0.1%, improving versus the small declines in the prior period.

Spirits continued to drive industry underperformance, with dollar sales down -5.7%, a slight acceleration versus the -5.2% drop in the prior latest four week period, ended Feb. 28, with volume down -4.2%.

Wine almost matched these losses, with dollar sales down -5.3% while volume fell -6.5%, noticeably sharper declines than seen in the prior period.

Beer appeared as the most resilient among core categories, as dollar sales dropped by -0.8% and volume fell -2.5%. Performance improved from the previous period’s dollar and volume results (-1.7% and -3.3%).

All in all, NIQ said, category results point to an ongoing uphill battle for Spirits and Wine to outperform year ago comparisons, while Beer laps prior year declines and trends toward flat. Prepared Cocktails continue to lead growth with drinking occasions and opportunity on the rise with Spring on the horizon.

In terms of regional trends, most major markets posted losses. Texas led positive trends, with dollar sales up +0.6%, with Ohio following +0.4%. In contrast, New York saw the largest sales decline at          -6.1%. Volume trends were similar: Texas (+1.7%) and Ohio (+0.1%) the only states posting growth, while Florida saw the sharpest decline at ‑6.4%.

Broad declines were sustained in nearly all major retail channels, NIQ said. In terms of value, only convenience bucked the declining trend. In terms of volume, only club was up, 0.8%. •Compared with the prior L4W period (w/e February 28th). Convenience showed improvement, performing better than its previous dollar (‑1.0%) and volume (‑3.2%) declines.