US alcohol sales decline despite Labor Day boost

Alcohol sales in the United States showed a downward trend for the four weeks ending September 5, despite a brief weekly spike driven by Labor Day holiday shopping. According to NielsenIQ data, total sector revenue fell 3.7% compared to the same period last year, while volume decreased by 5.6%.

Beer was among the hardest-hit categories, with dollar sales dropping 4.7% and volume falling 5.9%. Significant declines were noted in the Domestic Premium and Craft segments. In contrast, non-alcoholic beer saw growth in both sales and volume, attributed to consumer interest in wellness and moderation.

Wine retail also faced challenges, with sales down 3.7% in value and 5.1% in volume over the four-week period. While off-premise channels saw a 3.5% weekly increase due to the holiday, the broader trend remains negative. The data suggests a contraction in physical consumption across most traditional alcohol categories, including spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails.