Despite the tightening of Covid restrictions in various parts of Finland during the Christmas holidays, sales of alcohol in grocery stores decreased from last year.
In the S Group’s stores, liter sales of alcoholic beverages decreased by about 10 percent from 2020 during both Christmas and New Year. However, in terms of turnover, sales decreased by only a few percent.
Total sales of alcoholic beverages returned to almost the level of 2019, when sales had risen to an exceptionally high level last year due to the Covid pandemic.
"Christmas was at a normal pre-Covid level for alcohol sales," S Group Sales Manager Mikko Kovalainen told Yle and added that high vaccination coverage for adults this Christmas may be one reason for the decline in sales.
"Whereas many people have spent Christmas and New Year partly abroad and the importation of alcoholic beverages has been made possible by the increase in vaccines and tourism;" he said.
Another reason, Kovalainen added, was a shorter Christmas holiday than usual, because Christmas Day fell on a Saturday this year.
Alcohol consumption is falling in Finland
The K-Group’s stores report similar sales volumes this year as last year, and sales of low-alcohol beverages also remained almost at the 2020 level during Christmas and New Year.
"At the end of 2021, Covid restrictions were approximately as stringent as at the end of 2020," K-Group’s Vice President, Purchasing and Sales Aki Erkkilรค said.
"Overall, alcohol consumption in Finland is declining and sales of non-alcoholic “alcohol” are growing rapidly," Erkkilรค added.
In the Lidl store chain, alcohol products were sold during the festive season.
"In particular, Covid restrictions did not increase demand. We did not see an exceptional change in sales volumes during the Covid period. Alcohol products are normally sold," Head of Lidl Arto Lรคhdesmรคki told Yle.
Demand for mixed beverages is growing
Beer remained the best-selling Christmas and New Year in all three supermarket chains.
"The best-selling alcohol products are light lager year-round, but at Christmas, darker beers, such as dark lager and porter, find their way to the table." Lรคhdesmรคki said.
At the same time, the demand for various drinks and cocktails is growing.
"Change is slow, but the enthusiasm to try new things" Lรคhdesmรคki decided.
Source: The Nordic Page