Retail drinks sales for at-home consumption in the country have increased by 21% since 2004 to reach around US$80bn, market research group Mintel said today (15 July).

Its figures highlight a long-term shift to at-home drinking in the US; a shift that the alcohol industry’s own statistics suggest has speeded up during the country’s recession.

Mintel said that consumers are looking to save money in the off-trade, not only by avoiding bars but also by switching brands. More than a quarter of respondents to a Mintel survey said that they have traded down to cheaper drinks brands in the last year. The research firm did not detail how many consumers had been approached for the survey, however.

“About half of those who report drinking alcohol at home are drinking less than they did a year ago, but the market is still enjoying viability,” said senior Mintel analyst Goel-Lal.

The research group’s findings back up industry figures.

Price wars between rival retailers and drinks firms helped the US spirits market to expand by 1.6% in volume in 2009, despite the country’s economic problems, according to Beverage Information Group’s recently-published Liquor Handbook.

Sales of spirits in the on-trade fell by 3% in volume in 2009, compared with 2008 levels, said the group.

Diageo said earlier this month that the development of pre-mixed cocktails for at-home drinking was dominating the Smirnoff and Captain Morgan producer’s innovation agenda.

There have been signs of an upturn in the US spirits market over the last few months.

Spirits volumes in the 19 control states in the US crept up by 0.4% in May, according to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA).

“Rolling three-month trends were up 2.2%, with the positive trend continuing,” said Sanford C Bernstein analyst Trevor Stirling in a note this month. “Notably, the impact of brand mix was marginally positive in May, for the first time in two years.”

The Ascot Park Hotel will be showcasing an event of the latest trends from local boutiques.

To keep the cocktails flowing we can count on VnC Cocktails who are supporting the event.

As we sip away on our cocktails and oogle over the fashion we can feel good that it’s for a great cause.

The occasion is a fundraiser for the Conductive Education Southland.

http://craiglawson.net/2010/05/19/cocktails-fashion-and-oysters-this-is-how-southland-does-fashion-darlings/

Kiwi Craig Baird has finished the first event on the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia third overall after two races supporting the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai at the weekend.

Driving a brand-new 2010 specification Porsche GT3 type 997, and supported by VnC Cocktails, Baird faced tough opposition from 22 other teams also contesting the series.

The first time the 39-year-old Queensland-based Kiwi has raced the 5.451 kilometre circuit in China, crucial setup changes did not work as calculated. Instead Baird could do little more than chase the time difference having qualified to start the first race from fourth position.

Fourth in the first race and third in the second, the overall points currently award Baird third place in the title standings of the eleven round series.

 Returning home in the interim, the team travel back to China in May for the second event on the calendar: the Beijing Goldenport circuit, 21-23 May.

Photo Booth Fun at the VnC Xmas Party December 2009.

See Photos of the VnC Christmas Party Last Thursday the 10th of December 2009 in Grafton Auckland. HQ