Objective 1: Greater consumer choice, particularly of low-strength products
Impact: Larger range of lower strength product
1. Since the reforms, have you seen any change in demand for low strength (<3.5% ABV) products? Are these products all no/low (i.e. below 1.2% ABV)
2. How has the range of products that consumers have access to below 3.5% ABV changed?
3. Which factors are most influential in any changes around the availability of low strength (<3.5%) products?
Impact: Wider impacts to consumer choice
4. For products over 3.5% ABV, have there been any notable changes in consumer choice since 2023? To what extent are these attributable to the reforms, if at all?
Objective 2: Reduced alcohol related harm
Outcome: Consumption and reformulation effect
1. Have you observed any change in the strength of products purchased by consumers since the reforms?
2. If you have seen increased demand for lower strength products, to what extent do you think this is due to consumers substituting from higher strength products?
3. If you have observed any change in demand, how quickly are you able to respond to changes in demand? What factors influence when or whether you respond?
Outcome: Innovation and Reformulation
4. To the extent that is possible, have the reforms influenced producer decisions around changes to product strength of existing products? For example, have you seen any reformulation below 22% ABV?
5. How have the reforms influenced producer decisions around the creation of new products at lower strengths? For example, the creation of new products , such as RTDs, at lower strengths?
Outcome: Higher relative prices for higher strength products
6. Are higher duty rates for higher strength products reflected in wholesale prices ?
7. Have you seen any evidence of higher strength products having higher retail prices per unit compared to their lower-strength equivalents, e.g. is a 28% liqueur typically more expensive than an 18% liqueur?
Objective 3: Support on trade business via Draught Relief
1. Do you make RTDs that can be sold on tap? If they do, then please reflect on the following questions If not, why not?
Impact: Draught sales and on-trade activity
2. Have you seen any increase in availability of RTDs under 8.5% on the market? If so, has this increased availability been matched with increased demand?
3. Have you changed production volumes of draught products as a result of Draught Relief? Can you quantify this impact if so.
Input/Activity: Introduction of Draught Relief
4. How have you found the process of claiming Draught Relief from an administrative perspective (e.g. time, clarity, usability)?
Objective 4: Support small producers via Small Producers Relief
[If applicable] Impact: Sales and Growth in Small Producers
1. For those who make RTDs below 8.5% ABV, are you aware if any also benefit from SPR?
2. If so, how has production by these producers changed? What impact has SPR had?
3. Any further comments on SPR?
Objective 5:
Outcome: Fewer distortions
1. To what extent have administrative and technical changes introduced alongside the reforms reduced distortions in the system and simplified compliance for producers? Including:
Wider context questions
2. What wider market trends have influenced your businesses in the same/similar period as the reforms?
3. Have any non-duty factors had a larger impact on product development or sales than the reforms themselves?
4. Have you made strategic changes unrelated to the reforms that Government should be aware of when interpreting results?
5. Have you got any evidence about whether consumer purchasing patterns have shifted, between on-trade (pubs, bars) and off-trade (supermarkets, shops) venues? What do you attribute any changes to?
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