Sales of wine, beer and spirits rose by 2.2% in the three months to 3 January, analysts at Kantar Worldpanel said, led by an 11% jump in the sales of sparkling wines.
Market research group Nielsen said that discounting was behind the rise in sales, with supermarkets using the lower prices to draw in shoppers.
Sales of alcohol at the main supermarkets rose by 3.2% in December. Specialist chains also reported strong trading, with sales at Majestic Retail up 7.3% in the 10 weeks to 7 January.
The Guardian, p. 24
