Beer sales in supermarkets and off-licences dropped by 6% in the third quarter of the year, according to new figures.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said in its Beer Barometer Report that compared to the same period last year, sales in pubs, bars and restaurants were also down by 8.1%.
Just last week, Asda public affairs manager Guy Mason was criticised for saying that the supermarket would reject minimum alcohol pricing proposals.
BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward said: “The accelerating decline in beer sales is a clear sign of a worsening economy, worried households and weakening spending.”
The trend is “symptomatic” of the problems impacting upon the wider economy, he added.
Plans by politicians to create alcohol-only checkouts in supermarkets were unveiled last week.
Are you seeing that beer sales are down? Are shoppers buying less alcohol in a difficult financial period? Make a comment below.
