SOUTH Africa’s latest lockdown booze ban came at a cost of R7.6 billion, says market research company NielsenIQ, and drinking habits have been disrupted, with beer taking a particular knock.
The company compiled its estimate, in a report called “Recovering from a Sobering Situation” using data from grocery stores, “semi-wholesalers” and re-distributors, and licensed bars and taverns. It did not include restaurants and hotels.
The lockdown alcohol bans pushed the SA liquor industry into uncharted territory, says NielsenIQ, with lasting effects. People are not necessarily reverting to their old behaviours once prohibition lifts.
“The reality is a changed consumer and changed in-store shopping patterns,” said NielsenIQ SSA Commercial Director Ged Nooy in a statement.
After the first lockdown booze ban, the company found, sales bounced back at first, then declined again. The same happened after the second ban too, so that by the end of 2020, year-on-year liquor sales were down
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