What you need to know
Despite the disruption of COVID-19 on Western spirits, especially on-trade sales, certain segments such as rum, gin and liqueurs have achieved double-digit volume growth in the retail channel. The category is forecast to recover growth in 2021, driven by Chinese consumers’ increasing interest in Western spirits, which enjoy a fashionable image, and more diverse consumption occasions. In the near future, Western spirits are not going to shake Chinese spirits, beer or wine’s leading position in the alcoholic drinks market due to the huge gap in consumption volume. However, now is a good time for brands to increase their investment in the China market to reap returns in the long term.
Covered in this report
This Report covers all Western spirits (distilled beverages) and liqueurs (flavoured with fruit and herbs) in both retail and on-trade (HoReCa) channels, produced in Western markets and then sold in China, as follows:
Anis/absinthe includes absinthe, arak and similar spirits.
Brandies and brandy type include spirits derived from grapes/grape skins and includes Cognac, Armagnac, fruit based and traditional brandies and related spirits.
Gin-based includes gin, Geneva and ginebra.
Rum/sugar cane-based includes white and dark rum, ron & caña, aguardiente and other, local, sugar-based spirits.
Tequila includes tequila of all ages.
Vodka-based includes premium, standard and economy vodkas, aquavit and Scandinavian schnapps.
Whiskies include Scotch (whisky), Irish whiskey, Bourbon and other (local) whiskies.
