UK hospitality and wine retail see rising spend despite volume declines

Recent market data indicates shifting consumer behaviors within the United Kingdom’s hospitality and alcohol retail sectors. According to The Oxford Partnership, August saw a 3.0% decline in total draught beer volumes and a 1.7% drop in the rate of sale compared to the previous year. However, consumer engagement in hospitality venues increased, with average occupancy rising by 4.24 percentage points and average dwell time increasing by 13 minutes. Total spend per head reached a 2026 high of £27.08, driven largely by a 5.4% increase in food spending.

In the wine retail sector, a report from Liberty Wines shows that while overall spend in independent off-trade wine retail fell by 5% between March 2024 and March 2026, spending remains approximately 20% above 2019 levels. Independent retailers are seeing value sales increase by 20%, outperforming supermarkets. Despite these value gains, independent retailers face a challenge with declining footfall, reporting 9% fewer customers in March 2026 compared to two years prior. The report suggests that quality-led strategies and distinctive product ranges are helping successful independents maintain higher average spends per bottle than supermarket competitors.