08 Jul Off Premises Craft Beer Sales Increase to a Small Degree in First Half of 2018
based on Brewbound article by Chris Funari, July 2, 2018
The research firm of IRI Worldwide recently posted numbers for large box store sales of craft beer for January-June, 2018. Sales in grocery, club, drug, dollar, mass merchandiser, and convenience stores were up 1.7%. The sales numbers of just under $2 billion represent an increase of 2.9% for the year to date, but also indicate a slowing of sales over all.
Both volume and dollar amounts have increased only marginally, and at much lower rates than seen previously in this decade. In fact, sales for a few of the larger brands, including Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, CBA (Craft Brew Alliance breweries that include Widmer Brothers, Redhook, Kona, etc.) and Deschutes were all decreased significantly over the first half of the year.
On the other hand, Boston Beer Company posted large gains in both dollars and sales volume, although much of this increase was due to the company’s non-beer assets, like Angry Orchard Rose Cider. Large increases were also seen for several larger breweries that have increased distribution dramatically (Firestone Walker, Founders, Bells, and SweetWater).
While craft beer sales outside of craft breweries has increased slightly, the news for mega-beer was bad over all. AB InBev, Heineken, and Miller posted losses in both dollars and volume, with only Constellation Brands (Ballast Point, Corona, Modelo, Funky Buddha, etc.) posting a gain.
For the full story, see the Brewbound article here.
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