Retailers are reporting impressive growth of own-label wines as cash-strapped customers look to rein in their spending.
A Datamonitor survey reports 41% of all grocery sales in the UK are now own-label, up from 38.2% in 2008, and wine sales are following the upward trend.
Supermarket retailer Sainsbury’s told decanter.com its own-label wines had grown at double the rate of its wine range this year. A spokeswoman said: ‘Last year we revamped our own-label packaging and we have put a lot of effort behind the range in store and in the media.’
Sales of own-label goods have been boosted by the economic climate that has seen customers tighten their purse strings. Own-label goods are, on average, 22% cheaper than the equivalent branded products.
Independent merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has also reported a 10% increase in its own-brand range.
Simon Field MW, BBR buyer, said: ‘To date, own-label sales are up about 10% on 2008 but people are tending to trade up within the own-label range.’
Own-brand wines from UK retailers the Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer have won regional trophies in the 2009 Decanter World Wine Awards. The full results will be announced at the Decanter Awards Gala Dinner at London’s Royal Opera House on September 1.
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Written by decanter.com staff
