Poll shows opportunity for online wine sales

Just one in seven British adults buys wine online yet a third say they would consider doing so, according to a YouGov poll conducted for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

The findings of the YouGov Omnibus Panel* suggest online retail offers a significant potential growth opportunity.

The survey of 1,742 British adults found:

"       14% buy wine online
"       7% buy wine online less than 4 times a year
"       33% do not currently buy wine online but say they would consider it in future

Amongst reasons cited by those who don't buy wine online:

•       25% say it's too expensive
•       21% don't want to pay for delivery
•      14% don't want to wait for delivery

Amongst those who do buy wine online:

•       51% prefer to select their own bottles or cases
•       24% prefer mixed cases.
•       Average spend is £5.15 per bottle (£62 per case) with women claiming to spend slightly more (£5.25) than men (£5.08)
 
WSTA Chief Executive Jeremy Beadles said:  "These figures show there is clearly scope for growth in online wine sales.

"Interestingly, while the figures show fewer 18 to 24 year olds currently buy wine online a larger proportion of this age group and 25 to 34 year olds say they would consider purchasing via the internet in future."

*Polling data is from the YouGov Omnibus Panel and is based on a sample of 1,742 British adult drinkers.


About WSTA
The WSTA is the UK lobbying organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 310 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.  

January 2011