2020 altered markets and industries across the globe. The pandemic year entirely changed the shopping experience with measures like social distancing, mask wearing, and frequent sanitizing taking place.
Alcohol consumption also took on a new form, as most outdoor spaces were shutdown owing to lockdown regulations.
South Africans have dealt similarly in enjoying and unwinding with their favourite drinks. The closure of many bars and restaurants has meant that home consumption of alcoholic beverages has increased. At-home consumption was encouraged during and after the alcohol ban as well as buying within reserved hours.
According to alcohol e-commerce platform, Drizly, consumer trends that were expected to play out over the next decade were instead accelerated into a few months. While a return to some measure of normalcy may reverse or modify some of those changes, most of the trends observed in the beverage market over 2020 are expected to continue, although possibly at a reduced rate of growth.
Together with Forbes, Drizly outlines trends that emerged out of 2020 and expects that they will continue to shape the adult beverage market over 2021 and beyond.
Pandemic trends will persist: The pandemic served to introduce new beverage alcohol trends in 2020 and accelerate others, and while consumers eagerly anticipate a normalization of everyday life in 2021, don’t expect these trends to disappear. Retailers should expect the fastest-growing categories of 2020, consumer behaviours, such as at-home cocktail making, and cooking, to remain strong in 2021.
Hard seltzer gets craftier: The new Hard Seltzer category – sparkling water blended with alcohol and fruit flavouring – will solidify its position, occupying more space this year, marked by more upscale ingredients, artisanal flavours and elevated packaging.
Transparency and health-consciousness: As consumers become more health conscious across the board, expect them to have even more demands of the products they consume. Healthier alternatives, such as low calorie, organic, biodynamic, and even non-alcoholic drinks were already on the rise – expect to see more in the coming year.
Consumers will be more conscious of brand ownership and values: Consumer consciousness for the values of the brands and establishments they frequent will continue to be a focus in 2021, and we expect that individual businesses will be increasingly transparent about their own values in response.
Consumers will continue to shop more online: With traditional shopping venues closed or severely limiting capacity in the early part of the year, online sales are poised to continue playing a key role throughout 2021. Even as conditions begin to normalize as the year goes on, this shift to e-commerce won’t disappear. Now that consumers have been introduced to the accessibility and convenience of purchasing alcohol online, they are likely to continue to e-commerce as the experience and convenience of shopping online only continues to improve.
With ever-changing needs, the new Flying Fish Seltzer, fits into each of these trend sets and aims to change the local industry. It is a flavourful and refreshing sparkling alcoholic drink for any occasion – casual get-togethers, outdoor experiences, picnics in the park, chill-out-at-home vibes, post gym sessions, after work drinks, club nights, and many more. It comes in two flavour options – Lemon & Lime and Raspberry – with an ABV of 5.5%, low sugar of 0.5g/100ml and low calories of 35kCals/100ml.
Packaged in a premium 300ml slim can, Flying Fish Seltzer is a convenient ready to drink beverage for any occasion and for anyone. You can enjoy the flavoured sparkling alcoholic water straight out of the can, with a straw or in a glass dressed with fruits – however you like.
The new beverage can be found at your nearest Pick n Pay Liquor or on Pick n Pay online and Bottles.