Annual UK gin sales hit £1.4 billion

Gin sales in the UK reached £1.4 billion (US$1.9bn) in 2017, the equivalent of every adult in the UK buying a bottle of gin last year, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Consumers bought 51 million bottles of gin in the UK last year

The WSTA’s Market Report, published today, showed that more than 51 million bottles of gin were sold in the UK last year, up 27% in volume – the equivalent of over 9.5m more bottles than in 2016.

Overall, sales of gin in supermarkets and shops, pubs, bars and restaurants beat all previous sales recorded both annually and quarterly.

More than 16m bottles of gin, worth £413m, were sold in the 12 weeks to 31 December, up 28% compared to the previous year’s festive season.

This is an extra 3.5m bottles bought, up 28% in volume compared to 2016’s festive season, worth an extra £104m.

The majority of gin sold was in supermarkets and shops, where the value of sales grew by 38% and volume sales by 28%.

According to the WSTA, there are now 100 British gin brands on the market, but the exact number is unknown. The number of brands available in Britain has more than doubled since 2011.

2017 was also a record-breaking year – British gin exports smashed the £500m (US$692m) barrier for the first time.

Chief executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, said: “We were amazed by the growth of gin in 2016, but 2017 sales of the quintessentially British spirit have surpassed all records again.

“At the WSTA we are constantly being asked what is the magic formula behind the growth in gin sales? It is a delightful combination of a quality British product steeped in history combined with skilful innovation by UK distillers who are producing a huge range of gins catering for the consumers’ increasingly sophisticated palates.

“The versatility of gin with its diverse use of botanicals means there is now a gin out there for everyone. The popularity of giving gin as a gift means we are expecting sparkling sales for Mother’s Day.”