No, it wasn't just your imagination. Your first
point after dry January was more expensive Britain's inflation eased
last month, a hint that the economy may have
seen the worst of price rises, not in the
case of alcohol, though, which kept going up
prices for beer. By far, the champion of
Booze inflation rose almost 10% in the year to January
. That's over three times the average annual price gains
for beer in 2022, here's what's going on.
First, new year, new prices. As a
rule, all consumer goods companies try to negotiate pricing
for early in the year. That's even more pressing
now with skyrocketing input bills, just take Heineken,
which expects double-digit growth in production costs this year.
2nd january rises come after companies kept their hands off
of prices to give everyone a break over christmas with
the holiday season over, there's no need to play
nice anymore. It's the beer makers turn to open
the presents now, will higher prices make you drink
less? No, didn't think so. The post
covid trend of treating yourself when you go out is
still very much a habit