For about a decade, the craft beer segment has grown at immense rates, influencing the food and beverage industries in many ways. Yet, experts note that the segment is beginning to experience some growing pains as a result of its rapid growth.
“Craft continues to gain share within total beer and now makes up 21.7 percent dollar share within total U.S. supermarkets, based on the 52 weeks ending Sept. 4, 2016,” explains Dan Wandel, principal of beverage alcohol client insights at Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago. “However, craft’s growth has slowed significantly with regards to dollar sales percent change versus [a] year ago. After 10 straight years of double-digit dollar sales percent increases dating back to 2005, craft is experiencing its lowest dollar sales percent increase versus [a] year ago at 9.7 percent in the latest 52-week period. The current four- and 13-week periods are reporting lower increases.”