The pub sector is 'in meltdown' with sales plunging by more than 14% this year as consumers switch to drinking at home, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (has claimed.Off-licence sales have risen by 15% oveer ther same period. Pub customers are also drinking less and switching to draught beer and away from spirits. Ten years ago, people were drinking an average of 14.4 litres of pure alcohol annually, but this has dropped to about 11.2 litres today.
DIGI estimated that 25,000 jobs could be lost by the end of the year in the drinks industry from a high of 100,000.
Licensed Vintners Association chief executive Donall O’Keeffe said in the short to medium term there is 'absolutely no sign of market conditions improving for the pub trade'.
Figures from DIGI show the pub sector suffered a 14.1% decline in the first seven months of this year following a near 9% decline last year. This is part of a wider trend of decline in the trade over the last decade that has seen the volume of bar sales fall 25% since 2000.
On a positive note the DIGI said the Government’s excise cut in last December’s budget has stemmed cross-border alcohol sales.
DIGI is asking the Government, in its pre-budget submission, to cut excise duty on alcohol and reduce commercial rates.
