Stay at homes spend more on wine

Research by Nielsen shows that consumers who are staying at home to drink, instead of going out, are treating themselves to more expensive wines.

The slowing economy and last year’s smoking ban in England together with the poor summer weather are all contributing to an increase in wine purchased for consumption at home. Overall wine sales rose by 5 percent with the highest growth in wines over £5 a bottle.

Meanwhile sales of alcohol in pubs and restaurants fell 8 percent in value in the 12 months to the end of May 2008. And figures from the 'early summer' show 2008 has been an even worse year for pub companies than 2007 when wet weather also discouraged consumers from going out. According to the survey only 21 percent of consumers said they will be spending spare income on going out.