Bev-alc’s price increases slowed slightly in March, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The April CPI for total bev-alc increased 1.8% year-over-year (YoY) and was flat month-over-month (MoM), both before seasonal adjustment, according to the report. Through the first four months of the year, March recorded the largest YoY increases (+1.9% YoY, +0.2% MoM), with April landing ahead of February (+1.7% YoY, +0.5% MoM) and January (+1.4% YoY, +0.3% MoM).
Overall inflation for all items increased 2.3% YoY and 0.3% MoM, before seasonal adjustment. April marked the lowest YoY CPI increase of 2025: January +3%, February +2.8%, March +2.4%.
Bev-alc at home remains below inflation (+0.8% YoY, +0.1% MoM, before seasonal adjustment). Spirits lead price increases at home (+1.9% YoY, +0.6% MoM), followed by beer (+1.4% YoY, -0.1% MoM).
Wine at home recorded a YoY decline in April (-0.4% YoY, -0.7% MoM), with its CPI reading declining 0.8% MoM when seasonally adjusted.
Away from home, bev-alc slightly outpaced overall inflation, increasing 3% YoY and 0.2% MoM, before seasonal adjustment. Beer at home was nearly in line with overall inflation (+2.6% YoY, -0.1% MoM), while spirits outpaced the total category (+4% YoY, -0.2% MoM). The CPI for wine at home increased 2.2% YoY and 0.6% MoM, before seasonal adjustment.
Looking at scan data, the average price per case of beer in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (total U.S. multi-outlet plus convenience) was up $0.49 YoY, to $31.02, in the four-week period (L4W) ending April 20. Year-to-date, the average case price has increased by $0.53, to $30.83.
Similar to last month’s report – when every beer segment except for domestic super premium recorded YoY price increases – only one segment recorded a price chop in the L4W. However, it was non-alcoholic (NA) beer which recorded a hefty decline of $1.14, to $35.74. In the previous four-week period (ending March 23), NA beer increased +$0.58 YoY, to $37.19.
All other beer segments recorded YoY price increases in the L4W (ordered by share of YTD beer dollar sales):
- Domestic premium +$0.31, to $25.27;
- Import +$0.31, to $25.27;
- Domestic sub-premium +$0.65, to $37.85;
- Flavored malt beverages +$0.39, to $20.01;
- Craft +$0.43, to $43.71;
- Domestic super premium +0.02, to $30.73;
- Hard seltzer +$1.21, to $40.79;
- Hard cider +$0.43, to $49.02;
- Assorted +$0.94, to $47.85.