Sales of alcohol declined by 14% last month

ALCOHOL sales slumped 7% in the first eight months of this year and a staggering 14% last month alone — a greater decline than experienced over the past six years combined.

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland said the decline was a “very significant” development for the industry and could threaten jobs in the high employment sector. It also signals a significant drop in alcohol consumption among the population.

Chairman of the group, Michael Patten, said that the figures — an analysis of excise receipts from the Revenue Commissioners — showed that alcohol consumption levels were falling dramatically over recent years and that the levels would drop further between now and the end of the year.