When the first restrictions on going out became known in several countries, people started with panic buying and hoarded goods like toilet paper, preserved food, pasta and rice. According to figures collected by consumer research company GfK, sales of these goods went up by up to 100%. Sales of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beer, however, decreased by 10%. With regard to beverages, mineral water and soft drinks were able to gain sales by between 13 and 24%.
Apparently, as an emergency supply, consumers prefer to buy food and drinks that are meant to fulfill basic needs rather than those that are associated with luxury or enjoyment.
Since beer is a sociable drink that people like to drink in public with friends and acquaintances, the requirement to prevent the virus from spreading by limiting social contacts is counterproductive for any kind of beer consumption.
