Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
Alcoholic drinks in Slovakia saw a welcome boost to volume sales in 2024 as the warm and dry weather conditions during much of spring, summer, and autumn bolstered consumption. Beer and RTDs were the main winners in this regard as they offer a refreshing drink option. Promotional strategies and discounts also supported volume growth of alcoholic drinks, with modern grocery retailers relying on both to incentivise consumers who were still grappling with high costs of living. Indeed, lower purchasing power was an underlying challenge for the alcoholic drinks industry. Price sensitivity was most notable in the spirits category where a major hike in excise tax pushed up retail prices and caused spirits consumption to fall. Added to this, spirits is feeling the impact of a change in drinking behaviour, with a growing number of consumers shifting away from high-strength spirits and choosing to moderate their alcohol consumption, for health or lifestyle reasons. As such, there was an on-going shift towards lower alcohol and non-alcoholic variants.
2024 key trends
Beer was the largest category within alcoholic drinks in 2024, with volume sales rising moderately in this year due to the overall warmer weather. Strong price promotions and discounts were used to drive demand and entice Slovak consumers in 2024, with many looking to save money due to economic uncertainty. Product innovation has also played a role in stimulating consumption. Although the commodity price of malt soared and drove up unit prices, this did not have a detrimental impact on beer volumes.
Competitive landscape
Competition in alcoholic drinks in Slovakia remained fierce with players utilising frequent price discounts to attract shoppers. Plzensky Prazdroj Slovensko was the leading company within alcoholic drinks in 2024, with a core portfolio of beer brands. Plzensky Prazdroj Slovensko has managed to successfully defend its volume share thanks to heavy promotional activity, product innovation, and a wide range of popular beer brands including the likes of Pilsner Urquell.
Retail developments
Hypermarkets and supermarkets ranked as the leading distribution channels for alcoholic drinks in 2024, with each commanding one-quarter of retail value share. These modern grocery retailers have continued to attract more consumers in the face of a difficult economic climate. Consumers were cautious with expenditure in 2024, with many shopping in retailers that offer the best value for money, a wide product assortment, and ongoing price discounts. More sophisticated loyalty programmes offering tailored shopping experiences, such as customised price discounts, and often through smartphone apps, boosted the appeal of supermarkets and hypermarkets in 2024.
On-trade vs off-trade split
The off-trade gained momentum in 2024 due to price sensitivity and the rising price of alcoholic drinks. The weak consumer sentiment in Slovakia negatively impacted consumer demand in the on-trade, as Slovaks braced themselves for higher taxes and austerity measures that are set to be introduced in January 2025. Legislation also significantly impacted the split between on-trade and off-trade channels in Slovakia during 2024. The VAT rate for alcoholic beverages was increased back to 20% in 2024, from 10% in 2023, following the lapse of the pandemic-related special taxation benefit for foodservice entrepreneurs. In response, on-trade alcohol prices soared pushing more Slovaks towards off-trade consumption in 2024.
What next for alcoholic drinks?
Volume sales of alcoholic drinks are set to rise steadily over the forecast period driven by the rising preference for low and non-alcoholic beverages, particularly in beer. Slovaks have already started to consume less alcohol as part of a healthier lifestyle and due to the changing perceptions surrounding non-alcoholic drinks. Consumers will increasingly be offered more appealing substitutes in this category, although tasty alcohol-free options will remain a major challenge for players, especially for consumption in the on-trade channel.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Alcoholic Drinks industry in Slovakia 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 Slovakia, 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 Slovakia 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 Slovakia?
- 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 Slovakia?
- How are products distributed in Slovakia?
- 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 Slovakia
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 Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Strong rebound in beer volumes boosted by favourable weather
Fierce competitive rivalry between the two major players
Hypermarkets hold an edge in the beer category
A better outlook for beer as the period progresses
Tax changes could weaken demand for beer
Non-alcoholic beers to enjoy robust growth
Lager price band methodology
Cider/Perry in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cider/perry category suffers from the departure of brands
Heineken Slovensko bolsters its strong lead in cider/perry
Supermarket channel is favoured for value for money and convenience
Lack of promotional support compared to flavoured beers and RTDs
Sustainability to play a growing role in cider/perry
Flavour innovation is crucial to gain traction
Rtds in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Solid year of growth for RTDs as warm weather drives demand
Pernod Ricard Slovakia leads in RTDs
Supermarket channel benefits from convenience and value pricing
Bright outlook for RTDs
Glass packaging formats to gain popularity
More players to capitalise on strong growth potential of RTDs
Spirits in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Consumers turn away from spirits as prices rise
St Nicolaus Trade holds its lead in the spirits category
Hypermarkets draw in shoppers with promotional tactics and loyalty programs
Robust outlook for spirits but shifts in consumption are underway
Premiumisation will remain a key trend in spirits
Innovation is essential for spirits to maintain consumer appeal
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Wine in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Wine consumption stagnates amid rising prices and lower demand
Wine competitive landscape is relatively concentrated
Hypermarkets enjoy solid growth
Buoyant outlook for the wine category
Sparkling wine set to gain appeal in the upcoming period
Fruit wine offers solid growth potential
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Alcoholic Drinks
-
-
- Ale
- Sorghum
- Weissbier/Weizen/Wheat Beer
-
- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
-
-
- Domestic Premium Lager
- Imported Premium Lager
-
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
-
- Domestic Economy Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
-
-
-
- Domestic Premium Lager
- Domestic Mid-Priced Lager
- Domestic Economy Lager
-
- Imported Premium Lager
- Imported Mid-Priced Lager
- Imported Economy Lager
-
-
- Low Alcohol Beer
- Non Alcoholic Beer
- Stout
-
-
- Regular Cider/Perry
- Non Alcoholic Cider/Perry
-
- Malt-based RTDs
- Spirit-based RTDs
- Wine-based RTDs
- Other RTDs
- Non Alcoholic RTDs
-
-
- Brandy
- Cognac
-
- Bitters
- Cream-based Liqueurs
- Other Liqueurs
- Non Alcoholic Spirits
-
-
- Prestige Dark Rum
- Ultra Premium Dark Rum
- Super Premium Dark Rum
- Premium Dark Rum
- Standard Dark Rum
- Economy Dark Rum
-
- Prestige White Rum
- Ultra Premium White Rum
- Super Premium White Rum
- Premium White Rum
- Standard White Rum
- Economy White Rum
-
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
-
- Bourbon/Other US Whiskey
- Canadian Whisky
- Irish Whiskey
- Japanese Whisky
-
-
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
-
- 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
-
- Other Whiskies
-
-
-
- Prestige English Gin
- Ultra Premium English Gin
- Super Premium English Gin
- Premium English Gin
- Standard English Gin
- Economy English Gin
- Dutch Gin
-
-
- Prestige Vodka
- Ultra Premium Vodka
- Super Premium Vodka
- Premium Vodka
- Standard Vodka
- Economy Vodka
-
-
- 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
-
-
-
- Port
- Sherry
- Vermouth
- Other Fortified Wine
-
- 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
-
- Champagne
- Other Sparkling Wine
-
- Still Red Wine
- Still Rosé Wine
- Still White Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
-
Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders.
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats.
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions.
This report originates from Passport, our Alcoholic Drinks research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!