GIN sales have grown by by 70 per cent in the past year at two leading Irish retailers.
SuperValu and Centra, owned by wholesale and retail giant Musgrave have both reported a sharp rise in gin sales over the last 12 months, with local favourites such as Jawbox and Shortcross helping to drive the strong figures. Flavoured gins are proving the most popular in Northern Ireland, with Gordon’s Pink Gin now the best selling, along with the likes of Malfy Blood Orange Gin and Parma Violet Gin Liqueur.
Co Down produced Jawbox has seen great success in SuperValu and Centra stores, following the launch of two industry first gin liqueurs, Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger and Jawbox Rhubarb & Ginger. Founder Gerry White is hoping the new flavours will be a summer success for the company.
SuperValu and Centra’s successful gin sales are reflective of what is happening across the UK with recent figures released by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) revealing that sales of gin in the UK have risen by seven million bottles, reaching a record 47 million bottles in a year, the equivalent of 1.32 billion gin and tonics.
The figures also confirm the findings of a recent YouGov poll, which found that gin is now the most popular spirit among UK drinkers.
