Australians are drinking more spirits than ever before while turning away from wine and beer.
According to the latest data from Roy Morgan’s Alcohol Consumption Report, gin and vodka are the new drinks of choice
Despite spirits being consumed far less than beer and wine, the market for them is growing at a much more rapid rate.
Eight million people drink consume wine in an average month, and 7.3million drink beer.
Spirits are now consumed by 5.4million Australians, up from 5million twelve months ago, while all other alcohol types declined over the same period.
Older people were found to be keeping the alcohol industry afloat, with the 50-64 containing the highest proportion of drinkers overall.
Eight million people drink consume wine in an average month, and 7.3 million drink beer
Despite spirits being consumed far less than beer and wine, the market for them is growing at a much more rapid rate
‘As well as being the most enthusiastic gin tipplers, the 50-64 age group contains the highest proportion of drinkers overall, with 71 per cent regularly consuming alcohol,’ Ms Levine said.
However the 18-24 age group are much more likely than their older counterparts to drink other spirits including vodka, with 18 per cent consuming vodka and 15 per cent drinking bourbon.
The number of Australians consuming alcohol has declined over the last five years, but more have started drinking spirits.
‘Looking at figures from 2006, we see around 25 per cent of Australians drinking spirits, compared to nearly 28 per cent today,’ Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.
‘But over the same period, the proportion of Australians drinking any alcohol type has declined, from 73 per cent to around 66 per cent.’
Meanwhile Australians have started to stock up on booze in case they are forced to go into coronavirus self-isolation.
Panic-buyers have been clearing out shelves of necessities like toilet paper, canned food, pasta and rice since the coronavirus was declared a pandemic last Wednesday.
According to the latest data from Roy Morgan’s Alcohol Consumption Report, gin and vodka are the new drinks of choice
Endeavour Drinks, who runs Dan Murphy’s and BWS, said their online sales are currently experiencing higher than normal sales
Aussies are now stockpiling alcohol in anticipation of self-isolation if they contract the deadly virus, which has infected 596 people nation-wide.
Endeavour Drinks, who runs Dan Murphy’s and BWS, said their online stores are currently experiencing higher than normal sales.
‘Demand is spread broadly across our range of drinks products and we do not anticipate any significant out of stock issues,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We understand that these are uncertain times where there can be comfort found in being prepared, however we would encourage customers to purchase as they would normally, continue to drink responsibly, and to please treat our team with courtesy and respect.’
All Coles Liquor stores, including Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice, are seeing similar increase in customer demand to their supermarkets.
‘We have increased the number of team members working in stores to allow us to continue to offer excellent customer service,’ a spokeswoman said.
‘We appreciate our customers continued support during this busy time and ask they are respectful towards our team members in store.’
Kent Street Cellars in Sydney’s CBD said online sales for home deliveries had increased, while Camperdown Cellars reported more foot traffic.
A bottle shop in Sydney’s eastern suburbs said despite not selling out of any types of alcohol completely, they’re selling up to 30 per cent more than usual.
‘I’ve noticed people who regularly come in and buy just two or three things are getting a whole box,’ he said.
‘So I can see a little bit of stockpiling happening, but it’s not mayhem yet.
‘They’re putting on one extra person this weekend for when it will get even busier. It’s pretty unusual for that to happen.’
All Coles Liquor stores, including Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice, are seeing similar increase in customer demand to their supermarkets