Detailed analysis of market segmentation and
extensive company and brand data are the key elements of Plato
Logic’s latest West Europe report, published every year in May.
“In such a competitive business, getting
accurate market intelligence at the earliest opportunity can help
businesses to plan ahead and gain an edge over their competitors,”
commented Ian Pressnell, Director of Plato Logic.
Plato Logic’s central focus is on producing
all of their reports by using consistent methodology in gathering and
analysing the information and then turning it into a user-friendly
report that provides some of the most detailed and useful market
intelligence on the beer industry.
As beer market specialists Plato Logic have
extensive knowledge of the 17 countries covered in the report
containing key top-line data, together with very detailed analysis of
each country.
“It has been a very interesting and complex
market over the last year. With
so many different factors at work there is a need to understand the
impact of the various mergers and acquisitions, climatic and economic
influences. Germany
experienced radical changes over the last two to three years and our
report helps to put all of those changes into perspective for our
extensive client list,” continued Ian Pressnell.
Looking at the report’s Top
Ten Companies Sales in 2003, Heineken are in top place with
Interbrew in second position, followed by Scottish and Newcastle
and Carlsberg in third and fourth positions.
The ‘Big 4’ now have a clear lead in the region, with
combined volume of over 145mhl (pro forma 2003) being almost 50% of
the market.
Mainly as a result of their investments in the
UK and Germany, Interbrew have risen from seventh place in 1991 to
second place in 2003.
Two companies in the Top Ten come from outside
the region with Coors in sixth position and SABMiller entering the
West Europe Top Ten for the first time.
The influence of the weather, with one of the
best summers for many years, largely benefited the off-trade and, with
the exception of Germany, canned beer sales rose in nearly all
markets.
Plato Logic reports that the strongest
market growth in 2003 was seen in Spain and Italy. The report's
medium term outlook for the year 2015 also sees further gains in
Southern Europe partially off-setting the ‘top-line’ decline in
the mature German and UK markets.
Concealed behind a flat 'top-line' is a
very dynamic market with many factors continuing to influence future
development, including EU enlargement and the impact of the Euro,
while the new anti-smoking legislation in Ireland is likely to be
watched closely by other countries.
The report also looks at market
segmentation with the total premium beer market in West Europe
advancing again, passing 87mhl in 2003,
equivalent to 29% of total consumption.
Plato Logic have further subdivided the premium sector into
‘pilsner’ style beers and specialities, demonstrating that the
advance of the international brands continues to be notable, often
at the expense of local premium brands.
Mergers and Acquisitions
are covered in comprehensive detail within the report and Ian
Pressnell commented: “Consistency is the key to comparability and we
use a consistent methodology for all 17 countries
to create more accurate and detailed figures.”
Plato Logic Limited
