RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market

RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Outlook (2023-2033)

The market for RTD alcoholic beverages can be expected to expand at a value based CAGR of 7.9% and show an increase in revenue from US$ 18,727.5 Mn to around US$ 28,646.2 Mn by 2033.

RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Size (2023E)	US$ 18,727.5 Mn
Projected Sales of RTD Alcoholic Beverages (2033F)	US$ 28,646.2 Mn
Value CAGR (2023-2033)	4.3%
Value Share of Top 4 Countries (2022E)	29.4%

RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Consumption Analysis (2018-2022) Vs. Market Estimations (2023-2033)

The global market has witnessed significant growth in the historical period registering a CAGR of 7.3% in the historical period and was valued at US$ 18,727.5 Mn in 2023. The market is expected to grow steadily with increasing applications of RTD alcoholic beverages.

Sales of RTD alcoholic beverages are rising due to increasing popularity among gen-Z and millennials, as RTD is a convenient drink as compared to other spirits. Manufacturers’ effort in offering high-quality RTD alcoholic beverages in sweet, tropical fruit, berry, and mixed fruit flavors that have a touch of spirit is the major driver that is expected to propel demand over the forecast period of 2023 to 2033.

RTD alcoholic beverages are made with this concept having low alcohol content and high sensory taste with unique flavors. Companies are focused on fulfilling consumer demand through beverages with a touch of spirits. RTD alcoholic beverages are the ideal choice for consumers who seek low alcoholic beverages. The global market for RTD alcoholic beverages is estimated to reach an approximate valuation of US$ 28,646.2 Mn in the forecast period.

What are the Key Trends in the Market for RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market?

“Premiumization Trend in Global Alcoholic Beverage Market”

Rise in the middle-income population and modernization of lifestyles are leading to changing taste preferences, which are factors that contribute to the demand for premium RTD alcoholic beverage products. Besides, consumer demand for highly malted and preserved alcoholic beverages is rising due to the increasing popularity of premium quality alcoholic beverages.

RTD alcoholic beverages made by using premium quality alcoholic beverages are gaining popularity among consumers. Besides, premium RTDs having unique flavor profiles introduced by the manufacturers are gaining increased attention of consumers. Key players manufacturing RTD alcoholic beverages are focusing on the production of premium products to meet increasing demand from consumers.

“Rising Focus on Health & Wellness Driving Demand”

In recent years, consumers have become more informed than ever. Increasing urbanization, pollution, and busy lifestyles are affecting the health of consumers across the world. Owing to that, consumers are seeking alcoholic products with natural ingredients and low alcohol content.

Besides, the concept of RTD alcoholic beverages is based on convenience and flavored beverages. Also, key players are focused on using natural and organic ingredients in the production of RTD alcoholic beverages. These factors are expected to boost demand for RTD alcoholic beverages over the coming years.

“Innovation & Brand Building Favoring Demand”

The RTD alcoholic beverage category is becoming increasingly competitive. Hence, to gain an advantage over their peers, manufacturers are focused on innovation and strive to launch new products in the premium category along with seasonal products. Besides, manufacturers are focusing on the development of new products using unique flavors and blends, along with premium alcohol as a base spirit, which is popular among consumers.

These factors considerably influence sales of RTD alcoholic beverages. Moreover, key players also focus on developing new and premium RTD alcoholic beverage offerings to sustain their positions in this competitive market.

• The Suntory Holdings Limited offers innovative RTD beverages in different flavors for a limited period. These products are launched in accordance with the seasonal demands of customers.

“Convenience Offered by RTD Alcoholic Beverages Over Traditional Spirits”

Beer and soda are no longer the only beverages that come in cans. Canned wines, hard seltzers, and RTD cocktails have all become mainstream. They give consumers the ease of drinking their favourite products at the location of their choice and with the instant satisfaction they’ve come to expect.

RTD alcoholic beverages offer the grab-and-go convenience that fits into busy, yet healthy lifestyles. Besides, they offer more sensory taste and flavor compared to traditional drinks such as beer and ciders. Also, these are premixed with unique cocktails under the observation of experts in the alcohol beverage industry. These factors are creating huge opportunities for key manufacturers of RTD alcoholic beverages across region.

“Challenges Faced by RTD Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturers”

In most countries, The Liquor Tax Act states that one may not sell alcoholic beverages unless possessing a wholesale dealer's license for all alcoholic beverages or imported alcoholic beverages to be sold to retailers, or a general retail dealer's license for alcoholic beverages to be sold to general consumers, owners of eateries and drinking establishments, or confectionery manufacturers, and a mail-order retail dealer's license for alcoholic beverages to be sold by mail order retailing.

These processes take a long time and require several legal documents, which restricts the overall growth of the global RTD alcoholic beverages industry.

• For Instance, in the U.K., to obtain an alcohol sales license, around 14 different applications need to be submitted, and the applicant must take permission from 10 different government departments.

The most obvious example of an area of regulation that is particularly complex and burdensome is alcohol tax. There are different tax rates across various categories of alcohol. In some countries, alcohol tax is as high as 70% of the price of the bottle, and it starts from at least 30%. Apart from taxes, custom duties are also high in many countries, which puts additional burden on manufacturers.

Country-wise insights

Why does U.S account for a quarter of the Global Sales?

The U.S. is one of the dominant countries in the global alcoholic beverages market. The number of alcohol consumers in the U.S. is higher than any other country, especially in the premium category. In recent years, U.S. consumers have been highly inclining toward low alcoholic beverages such as beer, cider, and RTD alcoholic beverages. However, in the last three years, consumption of RTD beverages in the U.S. has increased dramatically owing to their convenience and flavor profiles. Hard seltzer is a relatively new type of alcoholic beverage that has seen rapid growth in popularity and demand in recent years in the country.

Seltzers are emerging as an alternative to beer and cider products. According to the Mark Anthony Group of Companies, consumption volume of beer in the U.S. has reduced 3% to 4% in the last two years, and the seltzer category has witnessed a growth of around 200% in 2018-2022.

Why Does the U.K. Hold the Highest Value & Volume Share in Europe’s RTD Alcoholic Beverages Industry?

The U.K. is one of the leading producers and consumers of alcoholic beverages in Europe. In recent years, the trend of low alcoholic beverage consumption has widely influenced growth of the RTD market in the U.K. Consumers are seeking new, unique, and convenient alcoholic beverages, leading to increased consumption of RTD alcoholic beverages.

Besides, domestic players are inclining toward producing and promoting RTD alcoholic beverages in the U.K., which makes it a prominent market in Europe. The U.K. holds around 13% of the value share in the European RTD alcoholic beverages market.

Category-wise insights

Will Consumer Preference for Seltzers Benefit Market Growth?

Hard seltzer, spiked seltzer, or hard sparkling alcohol water is a type of highball drink containing carbonated water, alcohol, and often fruit flavoring. This is one of the simple and light premixed alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic seltzers are emerging as an alternative to beer and ciders due to their simple and natural ingredients and flavoring.

This category is gaining huge popularity in the North American region due to high consumer demand for light and low alcoholic beverages. Besides, it is expected to witness a healthy growth rate of 9.0% and 11% in Europe and East Asia, respectively. Thus, the seltzer category is widely contributing to surging demand for RTD alcoholic beverages.

How is the Travel Retail Sector Fuelling Demand for RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market ?

Travel retail is one of the fastest-growing industries across the globe, and is anticipated to play a significant role in the demand growth for alcoholic beverages. This is attributed to the fact that more than 1 billion tourists cross international borders every year. Airports, airlines, crosslines, border shops, diplomatic business, and other modes of travel are the key sources of business for manufacturers of alcoholic beverages. RTD alcoholic beverage manufacturers can focus on increasing their sales in the travel retail market by offering premium products.

• Pernod Ricard SA considers travel retail as a sixth continent with an audience of 3.6 billion international travellers, and growing.

Competitive Dashboard

The packaging and design of any product plays a key role in the recognition of the brand and determines its value in the market. As such, the packaging and design of alcoholic beverages plays a key role in the sales of these products. Generally, these aspects define the uniqueness, history, and quality of the product. The main characteristics of RTD alcoholic beverages are their ABV content, flavor, and spirit market used in the product. Owing to these factors, manufacturers of RTD alcoholic beverage products are investing in innovative packaging and designing of unique bottles and cans to make their products more descriptive, unique, and attractive in the market.

• Bacardi Limited focuses on expansion by adding new products to its existing product portfolios such as packaging, unique and sensory flavors, and long matured blends with effective marketing.
• Manchester Drinks is equally creative in the soft drinks sector, with a host of exciting product & packaging solutions. From cordial shots, to functional reusable water pouches, to innovative ready-to-drink slush for retail, the company keeps a keen eye one evolving trends.
• La Martiniquaise strives to produce premium quality products with unique packaging and design to attract customers. This helps the company develop new products that are in line with market trends and captivate a growing customer base.
• In Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages were launched in July 2021 thanks to a partnership between Nestlé and Starbucks Corporation. RTD coffee sales brought in about CHF 2.7 billion (or about US$ 2.98 billion) for Starbucks. Nestlé's global position in the coffee market will be strengthened thanks to this strategic cooperation.

RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Industry Report Scope

Attribute	Details
Forecast period	2023-2033
Historical data available for	2018-2022
Market analysis	USD million for value
Key regions covered	North America Latin America Europe South Asia & Pacific East Asia Middle East & Africa
Key countries covered	U.S. Canada Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Russia China Japan South Korea India Thailand Malaysia Indonesia Australia New Zealand GCC countries Turkey Northern Africa South Africa
Key market segments covered	Product Type End Use Flavor Distribution Channel Region
Key companies profiled	Anheuser-Busch InBev Diageo PLC Bacardi Limited Halewood Wines & Spirits Mark Anthony Group of Companies Inspyration Siam Co., Ltd. Brown-Forman Manchester Drinks Molson Coors Beverage Company The Boston Beer Company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. Carlsberg Breweries A/S SHS Group Pernod Ricard SA Global Brands Ltd. Radico Khaitan Limited La Martiniquaise Suntory Holdings Limited Constellation Brands Inc.
Report coverage	Market forecast Company share analysis Competition intelligence DROT analysis Market dynamics and challenges Strategic growth initiatives
Customization & pricing	Available upon request

RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Industry Research by Category

By Nature:

• High Strength Premix
• Malt Based RTD
• Spirit Based RTD
• Wine Based RTD
• Hard seltzer
• Other Alcoholic RTDs

By End Use:

• Retail/Household
• Foodservice Industry

By Flavor:

• Citrus
• Berries
• Tropical
• Mixed Fruits
• Spices
• Others

By Distribution Channel:

• On-trade
  • Bars, Pubs, and Clubs
  • Fine Dining Restaurants
  • Other On-trade Channels
• Off-trade
  • Mass Merchandisers
  • Specialty Stores
  • Online Retail
  • Other Off-trade Channels

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia & Pacific
• East Asia
• Middle East & Africa

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