Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
Volume sales of alcoholic drinks in France declined in 2024, though value sales increased. This performance was slightly better compared to the poor results of 2023, particularly in terms of value.
2024 key trends
Beer’s volume sales continued to decline for the third consecutive year. This followed nearly a decade during which French consumers increased their beer consumption to catch up with global trends.
Competitive landscape
In 2024, brewing giants such as Heineken, Brasseries Kronenbourg, and InBev continued to lead alcoholic drinks in France, driven primarily by the significant volume share of beer. Heineken NV (GBO) retained its position as the leading brewer, producing well-known brands like Heineken, Amstel, Fischer, Pelforth, Affligem, Lagunitas, Mort Subite, Edelweiss, Desperados, Panach', Beamish, and Murphy's.
Retail developments
In 2024, hypermarkets remained the leading distribution channel for alcoholic drinks, holding over a third of value share, with supermarkets in second place. Up until 2022, supermarkets had seen a resurgence in foot traffic compared to earlier years, when consumers avoided crowded spaces due to pandemic-related concerns.
On-trade vs off-trade split
In 2024, the on-trade sector sustained its recovery, benefiting from a full year free of COVID-related restrictions and a generally favourable environment for tourism and events. As consumers embraced outings to restaurants, cafés and terraces, on-trade sales grew steadily, prompting a natural pullback in off-trade volumes, which declined slightly.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Looking ahead, volume sales of alcoholic drinks are projected to decline further, driven by a growing awareness of alcohol-related health risks and the acceleration of the nolo (no- and low-alcohol) trend. French consumers - already heavy users of mature or premium spirits - may also curtail their spending in response to budget pressures.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in France with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits
- Cider and Perry
- RTDs
If you're in the Alcoholic Drinks industry in France, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty
The Alcoholic Drinks in France report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Alcoholic Drinks in France?
- Where is consumer demand for Alcoholic Drinks focussed?
- Which is being consumed more; beer, wine or spirits?
- Where is demand growing? Stagnating?
- How is the operating environment for alcoholic drinks changing?
- Which are the leading brands in France?
- How are products distributed in France?
- What are the key trends in new product development?
- Do consumers want value for money or added value?
- How will macroeconomic context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- How will COVID-19 and recession impact the alcoholic drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Alcoholic Drinks in France
Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
On-trade vs off-trade split
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Legislation
Legal purchasing age and legal drinking age
Drink driving
Advertising
Smoking ban
Opening hours
On-trade establishments
TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES
Contraband/parallel trade
Duty free
Cross-border/private imports
Outlook
DISCLAIMER
Beer in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Beer remains in decline in France in 2024
Heineken remains king of beer
Hypermarkets and supermarkets as favoured off-trade channels
Total volume sales set to stagnate
Low alcohol beer to record fastest value growth
New flavours, nolo trend and rising interest in strong beer will drive development
Lager price band methodology
Cider/Perry in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Ongoing gloom besets cider/perry in France in 2024
Private label gains ground off-trade, while Agrial Groupe maintains GBO leadership
Hypermarkets and supermarkets lead distribution, while on-trade continues to gather pace
Further falls forecast for cider/perry in France
Players set to invest more in bringing life to the category
The emergence of a new generation of hybrid ciders
Rtds in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Surprising recovery for RTDs in France in 2024
J García Carrión leads overall RTDS as Pernod rises robustly
Hypermarkets and supermarkets remain favoured channels for RTD purchases
Hope for future growth rests largely with non alcoholic offerings
No future for hard seltzers
Innovation will be centred around 0.0° variants, with some players focusing on hybrid products
Spirits in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Spirits sees total volume sales fall in 2024
La Martiniquaise leads, while small, local and specialist players attract greater attention
Hypermarkets holds highest share among distribution channels for spirits in France
Spirits faces uncertain forecast period
Birth of Diageo France in 2025
Scepticism surrounds future of non alcoholic variants within spirits
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Wine in France
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Wine falls in total volume terms but rises in total value in 2024
Premiumisation and organic trends expand
Grocery retailers secure lion’s share of distribution as e-commerce continues to rise
Wine’s volume decline set to persist throughout forecast period
Greater diversification and more branded wines expected
Nolo trend likely to gather pace
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Alcoholic Drinks
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- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
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- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
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- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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-
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- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
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- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
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- Low Alcohol Beer
- Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
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- Regular Cider/Perry
- Non Alcoholic Cider/Perry
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- Malt-based RTDs
- Spirit-based RTDs
- Wine-based RTDs
- Other RTDs
- Non Alcoholic RTDs
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- Brandy
- Cognac
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- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
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- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
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- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
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- Tequila (and Mezcal)
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- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
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- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Prestige Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Ultra Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Super Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Premium Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Standard Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Economy Other Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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- Other Whiskies
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- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
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- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
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- Absinthe
- Ad-Mix Brandy
- Ad-Mix Gin
- Ad-Mix Rum
- Ad-Mix Vodka
- Ad-Mix Whisky
- Aguardente/Aguardiente
- Aguardiente De Caña
- Akvavit/Aquavit
- Aniseed-Flavoured Spirits
- Borovicka
- Boukha
- Brandy Type Distilled Spirits
- Cachaça
- Calvados
- Cane
- Chacha
- Charanda
- Chinese Herbal Spirits
- Chinese Spirits
- Cut Brandy
- Destilados De Agave
- Distilled Fruit Spirits
- Domestic Brandy
- Domestic Rum
- Doppelkorn
- Economy Chinese Spirits
- Flavoured Spirits
- Flavoured Vodka-based Drinks
- Fynbos gin/Local Gin
- Gin-flavoured spirits
- Goldbrand/Goldkrone
- Grappa
- Grappamiel
- Guaro
- Kirsch
- Komovica
- Korn
- Lambanog
- Limoncello
- Local White Spirits
- Lower Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Lozovaca
- Maesilju
- Mahia Rabi Amrane
- Mead
- Mixed Spirits
- Nalivka/Nalewka
- Nastoyka
- National Specialities
- Obstbrände
- Ouzo
- Pacharán
- Palinca/Pálinka
- Pear and Apple Distillates
- Pisco
- Premium Chinese Spirits
- Prune
- Punsch
- Rachiu/Rakija
- Rum-Flavoured Spirits
- Samane
- Sambuca
- Samsu
- Schnapps
- Shochu/Soju
- Singani
- Sljivovica/Slivovice
- Steinhäeger
- Strong African Spirits
- Super Premium Chinese Spirits
- Sura Khao
- Tequila Flavoured Spirits
- Travarica
- Tsipouro
- Upper Mid-Range Chinese Spirits
- Vieux
- Viina
- Vodka Type Distilled Spirits
- Other Distilled Beverages
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- Port
- Sherry
- Vermouth
- Other Fortified Wine
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- Apple Wine
- Bokbunjaju
- Cheongju
- Chinese Wine
- Economy Rice Wine
- Fortified Fruit Wine
- Fruit and Berry Wine
- Fruit and Herbal Wine
- Fruit and Honey based Wine
- Fruit Wine
- Lower Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Non-Grape Dessert Wine
- Premium Rice Wine
- Sake
- Takju
- Upper Mid-Range Rice Wine
- Yakju
- Yellow Wine
- Other Non-Grape Wine
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- Champagne
- Other Sparkling Wine
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- Still Red Wine
- Still Rosé Wine
- Still White Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
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This report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
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