UK online wine sales continue upward trend

Sparkling wine is driving UK online wine sales, which jumped 9% by volume and 11% in value in the past three months, according to the latest Wilson Drinks Report (WDR).

WDR collects data from 13 online wine retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Majestic, The Wine Society, M&S and Laithwaites, with the latest report relating to the 13 weeks to 28 March 2015.

Sales of sparkling wine other than Cava and Champagne achieved strong growth with sales up 16% by value. In comparison, both Champagne and Cava saw sales fall back 5% in the first quarter of the year.

“Still wine also had a strong quarter with volumes up 8% and value up 10%, a welcome boost for the wine industry, where sales continue to be tough across the more established on and off-trade channels”, said Tim Wilson, managing director of WDR. “What is interesting is how the shape of online sales is markedly different to sales through supermarkets.”

The figures follow predictions of an imminent surge in global online wine sales, albeit from a small base of just 5% of total sales, which is expected to be led by Britain and China.

According to a study presented at Vinexpo in June, online wine sales are around 600% higher than in 2006, contributing $6 billion (£3.8bn) to the industry. This route to the consumer will continue to grow and will become increasingly important, the report by Bordeaux’s Kedge Business School said.