Industry Statistics and Trends
Drink Retailing in Europe key trends
Drink retailers grapple with supermarket competition.
To compete with supermarkets’ lower prices, they’re improving their online presence, bringing in delivery options and enhancing customer service to stay relevant.
Shifts in European drinking habits prove worrying.
Changes to consumers' social habits and the continent's ageing population will erode much of the industry’s potential market.
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Drink Retailing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Drink Retailing in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €35.9bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Sober-curious shift drives expansion of low and no alcohol ranges
- A growing moderation trend is reshaping the European drinks retail landscape. Consumers - particularly those aged 18 to 44 - are cutting back on alcohol, motivated more by health and lifestyle awareness than by abstinence or religion. This "sober curious" movement has led to consistent declines in alcohol consumption, even in wine-stronghold countries like France and the UK. According to a 2024 Innova Insight survey, 29% of European consumers purchased low or no alcohol drinks in the past year. Health reasons (26%) and a desire to moderate (37%) were the most cited motivations. In the UK, 36% of adults under 25 now identify as non-drinkers, according to a 2023 YouGov survey. In France, the European Commission estimated a 15% year-on-year drop in wine consumption in 2023, underscoring the depth of change even in traditional alcohol markets.
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Drink Retailing in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Tighter alcohol regulations across Europe reshape retail strategies and supply chains
- Governments across Europe are intensifying alcohol regulation through minimum unit pricing (MUP), advertising bans, and mandatory health labelling. Countries like Ireland, Scotland, and France are at the forefront, but similar measures are under review in Italy, Finland, and other states.
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Revenue
€35.9bn
Employees
210k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Drink Retailing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Systembolaget AB | 3,454.9 | 34.5 | 1.0 | |
Vinmonopolet A/S | 1,458.9 | 25.1 | 1.7 | |
Alko Oy | 1,064.6 | 43.7 | 4.1 |
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Drink Retailing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Drink Retailing industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Drink Retailing industry in Europe is €35.9bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Drink Retailing industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 71,786 businesses in the Drink Retailing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Drink Retailing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Drink Retailing industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 4.4 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Drink Retailing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Drink Retailing industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Drink Retailing industry in Europe include?
Beer and Cider and Wine are part of the Drink Retailing industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Drink Retailing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Drink Retailing industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Drink Retailing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Drink Retailing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Drink Retailing in Greece
- Drink Retailing in Romania
- Drink Retailing in Italy
- Drink Retailing in the UK
- Drink Retailing in Sweden
- Drink Retailing in Norway
- Drink Retailing in Latvia
- Drink Retailing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Drink Retailing in Luxembourg
- Drink Retailing in Russia
- Drink Retailing in Hungary
- Drink Retailing in Denmark
- Drink Retailing in Poland
- Drink Retailing in Slovakia
- Drink Retailing in Malta
- Drink Retailing in Croatia
- Drink Retailing in Slovenia
- Off-Licences in the UK
- Drink Retailing in Spain
- Drink Retailing in Portugal
- Drink Retailing in Czechia
- Drink Retailing in Turkey
- Drink Retailing in Ireland
- Drink Retailing in Serbia
- Drink Retailing in Finland
- Drink Retailing in Bulgaria
- Drink Retailing in Austria
- Drink Retailing in France
- Drink Retailing in the Netherlands
- Drink Retailing in Belgium
- Drink Retailing in Cyprus
- Drink Retailing in Lithuania
- Drink Retailing in Estonia
- Drink Retailing in Iceland
- Drink Retailing in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry are specialised retailers licensed to sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to end consumers.
Related Terms
OFF-LICENCE SPARKLING WINE SUGAR TAXWhat's included in this industry?
Beer and CiderWine Spirits Non-alcoholic beveragesCompanies
Systembolaget ABVinmonopolet A/SAlko OyIndustry Code
4722 - Retail sale of beverages in specialized stores in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Sober-curious shift drives expansion of low and no alcohol ranges
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Drink Retailing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Age influences purchasing preferences. Young, price-conscious consumers flock to supermarkets, whereas older, experience-driven buyers favour drink retailers, aiming to support local businesses and seek out premium brands.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Drink Retailing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Importer
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The European Food Retailing industry is highly fragmented. Regionally specific beverage preferences, customer loyalty to local retailers and the ability of off-licences to satisfy niche market segments add to the industry's fragmentation.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Systembolaget AB
- Countries of operation for Vinmonopolet A/S
- Countries of operation for Alko Oy
- Countries of operation for Fleggaard Holding A/S
- Countries of operation for Getranke Hoffmann GmbH
- Countries of operation for Majestic Wine Warehouses Ltd
- Countries of operation for Vinbudin
- Countries of operation for Etablissements Nicolas SA
- Countries of operation for Specialty Drinks Ltd
- Countries of operation for Lavinia Espana Seleccion SL
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Regulations widen significantly throughout the continent. Drink retailing regulations vary widely based on country's attitudes towards alcohol consumption, with the UK adopting stricter controls to mitigate health concerns while other countries prioritise a more liberal approach.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Profit dwindles amid stiff competition. Drink retailers are finding it tough to maintain profitability as rising competition from supermarkets and online delivery services forces them to drop prices and invest in delivery options.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Drink Retailing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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