Trends in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry

The pandemic caused many shifts in the alcoholic beverage industry, from the growth of e-commerce and alcohol delivery services to the rising popularity of beverages with low (or no) alcoholic content. Here are some of the biggest trends shaping the industry in 2022:

Low or No Alcohol

According to Nielsen, non-alcoholic beverage sales increased by 33% in 2021, and the non-alcoholic spirits category is projected to expand by 35% by 2023 according to ISWR. In addition to non-alcoholic beverages, drinks with low alcohol content are fast gaining popularity, with the health and wellness movement fueling sober-curious drinkers. Many health food stores are showcasing these no- and low- options, and breweries are even beginning to try their hand at non-alcoholic beers.

Hard Seltzer

In both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage categories, seltzers have been experiencing tremendous growth. Hard seltzer brands offer low-sugar alcoholic beverages in tons of exciting flavours, which is a great fit for Millennials and Generation Z.

Rise of RTD

We've mentioned the rise of RTD in a post before, which refers to drinks that are pre-mixed, blended, or prepared, meaning that they are “ready-to-drink.” The pandemic accelerated this trend further, with many restaurants selling cocktail kits to be enjoyed at home and retailers starting to explore canned pre-mixed cocktails. Deemed one of the fastest-growing alcohol categories due to its convenience and sustainable benefits, Future Market Insights projects that the global drink cans market will more than double through 2031.

Accessibility

The pandemic pushed many industries online, and the alcoholic beverage industry was no exception. Between brands launching their own websites, subscription services, and even delivery services like Door Dash and Uber Eats branching out to alcohol delivery, alcoholic beverages are more accessible to consumers than ever, and consumers are enjoying the convenience.

Popular Partnerships

In recent years, many celebrities have launched their own brands of alcohol. Tequila has seen a celebrity surge of 13 percent over the last few years in its market share, and wine is also a popular choice for celebrity lines.

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