Alcohol producers and retailers alike were given a boost lastweekend by a report thatrevealed a change in the way British drinkers buy their booze.
The Guardian reported that sales of quarter (18.75cl) bottles of wine hit the 1 million milestone at supermarket giant Tesco (LSE: TSCO) during 2014, a robust 10% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile,J Sainsbury saw demand for these products surge by more than a fifth last year.
Its not the size of the package
This trend mirrors that seen across other Western markets, too, as health concerns prompt shoppers to reign in the number of units they consume. Indeed, many retailers have even taken to selling wine by the glass.
These changing drinking habits are good news for alcohol producers and retailers, as the amount they can charge for these smaller bottles is pound for pound for expensive than what they ask for larger volumes Tesco sells an 18.75cl bottle of Jacobs Creek Shiraz Cabernet for 2.19, for example, while a full-sized 75cl bottle clocks in at 7.49.
And for retailers such as Tesco and Sainsburys, the amount of space freed up by stocking a range of smaller bottles allows them to furnish stores with a greater range of labels, in turn boosting their appeal to seasoned wine enthusiasts as well as casual sippers.
Producer poised to crack open the bubbly
Naturally, this trend also bodes well for wine manufacturers such as Diageo (LSE: DGE).
The business is perhaps most famous for its portfolio of spirits such as Johnnie Walker whiskey, and to a lesser extent beer labels like Guinness and Red Stripe. But Diageo also has a notable presence in the wine market, and counts the popular Blossom Hill and Chalone brands as well as Dom Prignon and Mot & Chandon champagnes amongst its stable.
Although its Wine division counts for just 4% of net sales, Diageo is ramping up its investment in this area to catch rising consumer demand. Although reduced consumer spending power more recently caused net sales in this sector to flatline during July-December, revenues rose 2% in the US thanks to product innovation and expansion in the premium segment. And solid demand for its Yellow Tail drink caused net sales in Europe to tick 1% higher.
And like the rest of Diageos line of market-leading products, I believe that revenues from the firms wine labels boosted by the rising popularity of smaller bottles should ticker decidedly higher once current retail weakness in key markets abates.
But whether or not you share my enthusiastic take on the firms mentioned above, I strongly recommend you check out this brand new and exclusive report that identifies a hatful of blue-chip wonders poised to deliver barnstorming dividend flows.
Our “5 Dividend Winners To Retire On” wealth report highlights a selection of incredible stocks with an excellent record of providing juicy shareholder returns. Among our picks are top retail, pharmaceutical and utilities plays that we are convinced should continue to provide red-hot dividends. Click here to download the report — it’s 100% free and comes with no further obligation.
Royston Wild has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Tesco. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.