Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Scotch whisky sales decline amid global challenges
Scotch whisky, which used to be very popular around the world, is now selling less.
This is happening because people are spending less money on expensive drinks, especially in places like China.
Also, younger people are drinking less alcohol because they care more about their health.
The companies that make Scotch whisky are having to make less of it and find more space to store what they already have.
They need to figure out how to make Scotch whisky appealing again in a world where people are changing their drinking habits.
Scotch whisky sales fell by 2.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, marking the third consecutive annual decline.
Trade tensions and higher living costs have increased retail prices, reducing discretionary spending on premium spirits.
China, once a major growth engine for high-end Scotch, is showing signs of fatigue due to slower economic growth and cautious consumer sentiment.
Younger consumers are drinking less alcohol due to greater health awareness and the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives.
Distilleries are scaling back production, reassessing capital expenditure, and investing in additional storage capacity as inventories build up.
- Who
- Scotch whisky industry and consumers
- What
- Decline in sales and changing consumer preferences
- When
- First half of 2025, third consecutive annual decline
- Where
- Global markets, particularly China
- Why
- Trade tensions, higher living costs, health awareness, and structural changes in consumer behavior
- Sales Decline
- 2.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2025
- Duration of Decline
- Third consecutive annual decline
- Key Market
- China
- Consumer Shift
- Younger consumers drinking less alcohol
- Industry Response
- Scaling back production, reassessing capital expenditure, investing in storage