Alcohol sales have bounced back this month after Dry January came to an end.
Increasing numbers of drinkers are going ‘on the wagon’ at the start of the year – much to the despair of the nation’s publicans.
But it seems many are eager to quench their thirst when the month of abstinence finally comes to an end.
Figures from market research group Kantar show supermarket sales of alcohol jumped 18 per cent in February, with drinkers buying 28 per cent more red wine and 16 per cent more beer than in January.
That amounted to 8m more bottles of red wine being sold this month than last.
Off the wagon: Figures show supermarket sales of alcohol jumped 18% in February, with drinkers buying 28% more red wine and 16% more beer than they did in January
In a boost for millions of households, Kantar also said food prices are rising at the slowest pace for two years – although they are still up 5.3 per centon 12 months ago.
Supermarket tills were also ringing ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Shoppers spent £36million on romantic meal deals costing £10 or more in the week leading up to February 14.
And sales of steak and chocolate boxes increased by 12 per cent and 16 per cent in the same week.
Tom Steel, strategic insight director at Kantar, said: ‘Things are looking up for shoppers this February.’
Meanwhile, supermarkets have embarked on a price war to entice customers through their doors as inflation cools.
Tesco increased its market share to 27.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to February 18 from 27.3 per cent a year earlier, while Sainsbury’s grew to 15.6 per cent from 15.2 per cent.
Lidl has been the fastest growing grocer for six months in a row and has 7.5 per cent of the market compared to 7.1 per cent a year ago.
