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Beer Bash: Supermarkets Lead Sales

Supermarkets are the top retail channel for purchasing beer (56%), followed by liquor stores (44%) and convenience stores (29%), according to research firm Mintel International. Among other findings of a Mintel survey on domestic beer purchasing habits: 84% of respondents say they usually know the beer they are going to purchase before going to a store. 83% pick a retail channel because of

CHICAGO — Supermarkets are the top retail channel for purchasing beer (56%), followed by liquor stores (44%) and convenience stores (29%), according to research firm Mintel International.

Among other findings of a Mintel survey on domestic beer purchasing habits:

  • 84% of respondents say they usually know the beer they are going to purchase before going to a store.

  • 83% pick a retail channel because of the availability of brands they like.

  • Convenience plays a major role in selecting the retail location to purchase beer, as three-fifths of all respondents pick a store to buy beer based on convenience.

  • Over half of the respondents choose a retail location based on its selection of beer, with young adults ages 21-24 more likely than average to do so.

  • Young adults ages 21-24 are more likely (18%) than average (11%) to usually buy the cheapest beer available.

  • Respondents who drink popular beer brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light and Miller Lite are more likely than the average consumer to purchase beer from a store based on convenience, and more likely than the average shopper to purchase beer on promotion.