Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Trends in gin – how to build your range

Nick Gillett, co-founder and managing director of spirits distributor Mangrove Global, discusses the best ways to capitalise on Britain’s affection for gin

Glendalough and Nordes gin bottles with tonic on UK shelf 2025
Photo: iStock

The British love affair with gin is well-known, but after a decade-long "gin boom", the last few years have seen a substantial slowing of sales as hundreds of smaller brands shut up shop and drinkers experimented with different categories. Even the bigger brands were affected – with the UK’s favourite, Gordon’s, reporting a £72.8m loss in April 2023. Nevertheless, gin is still a staple for your shelf: you just need to be smart with your choices.

British history is punctuated with gin booms, and in the consequent lulls between it still remains a top pick for millions of adoring UK customers. The last boom of the 2010s saw thousands of sweet, synthetic flavoured varieties flood the market. Unless you have compelling sales data to suggest otherwise – ditch those and instead try more sophisticated flavours such as Glendalough, or Nordes Gin with its refreshingly sweet flavour that comes purely from the botanicals. If ready to drink options sell well, East London Liquor Company have some great cans, like Grapefruit Gin and Tonic which are as well branded as they are delicious.


nick gilletNick Gillett

Make sure you also have a classic London Dry but be sure to mix up your mixers and provide multiple options. There are some great brands experimenting with tonics and sodas, FeverTree and London Essence Co. have so many options that can be bundled up to make an appealing offer.

In short, the UK loves gin. And by stocking the brands that are innovating to drive the category forward, you might just remind your customers how much they love a good old-fashioned Gin and Tonic.

More for you

Closed WHSmith store on UK high street amid 2025 crisis
Photo: iStock

The high street crisis: How many more warnings does government need?

The start of 2025 has delivered a devastating series of blows to Britain's high streets, with WHSmith considering the sale of all 500 UK stores, Lloyds Banking Group announcing 136 branch closures, Sainsbury's cutting 3,000 jobs, Morrisons reducing its workforce by 200, and Tesco eliminating 400 positions. This isn't just another cycle of retail change – it's a fundamental collapse of high street infrastructure.

The sheer scale of these closures should sound alarm bells in Westminster. We're witnessing the systematic dismantling of services that have supported local communities for generations.

Keep ReadingShow less
The rise and rise of Swiss Army knife c-store

The rise and rise of Swiss Army knife c-store

Last year we were writing about the “Swiss Army knife c-store", a shop that could hold its own against the mults and discounters because it stood at the centre of its community. It would dispense not just groceries but many of the services that encourage people to visit, the everyday things they rely on – from post-office counters and banking to picking up parcels and even dry-cleaning – that could save them a trip into town and encourage them also to purchase some extra items while they were in-store.

The development has been ongoing for some time, and the digital revolution meant continually upgraded and affordable ePOS systems and digital stock-taking enterprises, until electronic shelf-edge labels, self-re-stocking systems and other space-age miracles started to come within reach of even the smallest retailer.

Keep ReadingShow less
 Retailer Natalie Lightfoot

Retailer Natalie Lightfoot

Natalie Lightfoot

Exclusive peak into Londis Solo: Like a Tardis inside

Standing on the bustling streets of Glasgow’s Baillieston suburb, Londis Solo Convenience is more than just a store. It's a symbol of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the local community.

At the heart of it all is retailer Natalie Lightfoot who has transformed her 620-square-foot space into the epitome of convenience, drawing customers from miles away for its exclusive range and rapid and highly-efficient home delivery service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dairy products
Photo: iStock

Dairy: Towards newer, value-added products

The UK’s dairy sector is undergoing a period of transformation, shaped by shifting consumer habits, economic pressures, and evolving attitudes towards health and sustainability. The cost-of-living crisis, which has dominated retail trends in recent years, has led to significant cutbacks in dairy purchases, with milk and butter among the hardest-hit categories.

According to NIQ data, published in December, milk sales experienced a substantial drop of £223.3 million over the past 12 months, while butter, spreads, and margarine saw a decrease of £63.7m. These figures position milk as the fastest falling category and butter, spreads, and margarine as the third fastest declining in 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less