Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £16.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
People are drinking less, raising sales of non-alcoholic drinks
- People have become more mindful of their drinking practices, with consumers increasingly gravitating towards low and no-alcohol options and ‘zebra striping’ (alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during social gatherings). According to YouGov, from August 2024 to December 2024, 62% of consumers reported trying non-alcoholic beer, highlighting the growing trends in non-alcoholic consumption, with young people being a key driver in the consumption of non-alcoholic beer.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: Alfabank-Adres
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Diageo embraces premiumisation to boost profitability
- Drinkers are increasingly choosing higher-quality alcoholic drinks and drinking less frequently – quality over quantity. Consumers are instead choosing to savour fewer drinks of higher quality, aligning with trends in mindful drinking and health consciousness. Premiumisation could drive up revenue in the industry, even if volume sales dip. This is because premium alcoholic beverages are often more expensive. Wholesalers are not overly reliant on large volume sales for sustainable revenue growth.
Biggest companies in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Bestway Wholesale Ltd | 367.7 | |
Booker Group Ltd | 845.1 | |
Matthew Clark Bibendum Ltd | 953.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: Alfabank-Adres
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Wine, Beer and Spirits. Wine is the largest segment of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK.
Trends and Insights
UK vineyard growth enhances wine supply and e-commerce expands wholesalers’ reach
- The wine segment includes white, red and sparkling wines like prosecco and rose.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Businesses in this industry purchase alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic alternatives (like non-alcoholic beer and wine) from producers and distribute them to retailers in both the on- and off-trades. The industry also includes alcohol producers that import products for distribution in the UK. Wholesale of other drinks
What's included in this industry?
BeerWineSpiritsCiderSparkling WineCompanies
Bestway Wholesale LtdBooker Group LtdMatthew Clark Bibendum LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ON-TRADEOFF-TRADELAGERIndustry Code
SIC 46.34/2 - Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Mindful drinking trends are reshaping the beverage market. Consumers are increasingly choosing low and no-alcohol options, like alcohol-free beers and spirits. Leading compan...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The UK wine industry is expanding rapidly. Vineyard growth boosts production capacity, while surging online retailing extends wholesalers' reach. This ensures broader market ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London's social drinking culture fuels alcohol sales. With a high population and income level, the city's numerous pubs, restaurants and hotels make it an attractive market f...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Internal competition shapes the Alcohol Beverage Wholesaling industry. Key factors include price, reputation and access to downstream markets, with location playing a crucial...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Diageo targets trends with innovative social experiences and beverages. Diageo plans to increase its wholesale range of non-alcoholic counterparts of popular alcoholic bevera...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Bestway Wholesale Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Booker Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Matthew Clark Bibendum Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Bestway Wholesale Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Booker Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Matthew Clark Bibendum Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Pubs and bars are a key market. Demand from pubs and bars significantly influences industry performance. Recent sporting events, like the European Championship and the Paris ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Sports events have bolstered profits for the alcohol industry. Despite duty changes and health-conscious trends impacting consumption, wholesalers adapt by expanding non-alco...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £16.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in 2025?
There are 3,039 businesses in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling market in United Kingdom are Bestway Wholesale Ltd, Booker Group Ltd and Matthew Clark Bibendum Ltd
What does the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Beer and Wine are part of the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Bestway Wholesale Ltd.
How competitive is the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
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Complementors
View all industries in United Kingdom
Methodology
How are Alfabank-Adres reports created?
Alfabank-Adres has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?
Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
Alfabank-Adres prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
