Brands of the decade

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A MEASURED VIEW

BRANDS OF THE DECADE

LIQUID ASSETS, A measured view, FEBRUARY 2007, COMMENTS

2007 will see the 10th anniversary of Labour coming to power and Tony Blair leading us all into a Cool Britannia nirvana – no more sleaze, no more corruption, no more wars with Iraq, ah. Back then I was a full time political lobbyist (and Labour party member) so I could barely have been more excited - I still remember a mate of mine ringing me from ‘the People’s Republic of Brighton’ as even the most genteel parts of Britain were painted red. While we are reminiscing, it seems appropriate to look back on the top distributed high street brands of 2007.

Some things do not change, so it is no surprise to see Guinness and Budweiser leading the way, though Guinness has slipped behind Budweiser and Beck’s - probably due to increased customer preference for bottled beers. Strongbow has grown with the expanded late night sector, while Newcastle Brown and Holsten Pils (neither particularly fashionable brands) have been able to retain a significant presence in the market. Foster’s growth has not been sufficient to prevent it slipping behind Stella Artois as the country displayed an appetite for stronger, premium lagers: a trend that may reverse in the coming months and years as the new social responsibility and health agenda could well lead to customers counting their units (and ABV) the way some count calories.

Which brings me to the real losers. A decade ago we toasted Blair’s triumph by clinking bottles of Hooch and Diamond White. We will have to make alternative arrangements when we drink to his departure from Downing Street.

From: February 2007 Issue

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