Gin and jam sales drop as inflation hits Wimbledon

Tennis fans have turned their back on traditional Wimbledon afternoon tea treats with sales of gin and jam plunging during this year’s tournament, data shows.

According to an analysis by retail experts Reapp, sales of jams and spreads have plunged by over a quarter (26 per cent) compared to the same period last year. It comes as jam prices have leapt by nearly 50 per cent year on year increasing from £1.37 to £2.04.

The afternoon tea staple of chilled desserts had also been hit with sales dropping by 12.5 per cent. There were also fewer gin and tonics drunk at home – with bottled gin sales falling by over 50 per cent. At the same time crisps also saw a sales decrease of nearly 7 per cent with a price rise of five per cent, states the report.

Yet beer bucked the overall trend with sales up over 10 per cent despite prices rising by 19 per cent. Week 1 beer sales this year peaked on day 5 of the tournament which saw over 53,000 units sold.

Reapp Commercial Director James Lamplugh comments, “Our recent analysis shows that even major British institutions and sporting events such as Wimbledon aren’t immune to the impact of cost of living.

“It is clear that, as food prices continue to rise, British shoppers are having to cut back on luxuries they would, in previous years, treat themselves to, to celebrate occasions such as Wimbledon.”