According to an analysis by the Dutch Rabobank, online shops in 2017 generated slightly more than an average of four percent of sales in Western European wine retail. According to the study, around 360 million litres of wine were sold digitally in 2017. The highest share was achieved in Great Britain, with around 10 percent of the nationwide turnover. No figures have been released for Germany. According to the figures, Western European wine sales fell by around five percent between 2010 and 2017, while digital purchases increased by 66 percent in the same period.
The bank predicts a wave of consolidation among digital wine shops. In this environment, expanding business into other countries or expanding the range of products on offer would require high investments in data management and IT infrastructure. The Bank therefore expects mergers and acquisitions due to rapid growth, as wine e-commerce is currently attractive for investors.
(uka)