Off-premise alcohol sales were up 17.5% for the week ending on August 1, according to the latest Nielsen report. Spirits led the way, up 29%, followed by wine at 17.3% and beer/flavored malt beverages/cider up 13.9%. Ready-to-drink cocktails are holding steady as the fastest-growing segment, up 100% in off-premise dollar sales.Visitation to bars and restaurants has remained flat for the previous two weeks and seems to have temporarily plateaued, with 42% of consumers surveyed saying they’ve been out to eat and 15% saying they’ve been out for a drink in the last two weeks.
Source: Nielsen, August 2020