UK retailer Sainsbury’s has announced plans to open a traditional pub – The Clean Vic – in London, which will only serve non-alcoholic and low alcohol alternatives to wines, beers, and spirits.
Anne Cooper, Buyer at Sainsbury’s, said, "With an increasing number of products now available, those who want to hold off on alcoholic beverages don’t need to miss out on the experience of enjoying a beer with friends or even a mocktail made with a delicious non-alcoholic distillate."
Pop-Up Event
The pub, a first of its kind in the UK, has organised a two-day pop-up event for customers on 24 and 25 July in New Oxford Street in London.
Entry to the pub will cost £5, which will also entitle visitors to two drinks of their choice and two bar snacks.
A wide range of low- and no-alcohol beers, wines, and mocktails will also be a part of the menu.
Visitors will also get an opportunity to try Celtic Soul, the UK’s first non-alcoholic dark distillate.
Other drinks include Lucky Saint beer, Everleaf mocktails, a non-alcoholic aperitif spritz, and a collection of wines.
The Clean Vic will also organise various immersive workshops on how to reduce alcohol intake.
'Uncertainty Over Taste'
Cooper commented, "From speaking to customers, we know there is still some uncertainty about what these no and low alcohol products taste like and how they are made.
"So, our specially curated workshops in the Clean Vic will help customers learn more about these drinks, providing key tasting notes given by the experts," she added.
In the past twelve weeks, Sainsbury’s has seen a 31.8% increase in the sales of no- and low- alcoholic products. It also witnessed a 33% increase in online customers searching for non-alcoholic products.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
