Moving Venue predicts sparkling outlook for 2014
London caterer Moving Venue has predicted a positive outlook 2014, after sales of Champagne overtook Prosecco at its client events last year.
The company said that while Prosecco had been the drink of choice during times of financial austerity, it was overtaken by Champagne for the latter half of 2013. Between July - December 2013, the caterer saw sales of Champagne at its events increase by 38% year on year.
Richard Beggs, managing director of Moving Venue commented: "Champagne has long been a mark of celebration and luxury; a more ebullient outlook in the capital is clearly being reflected in what we are seeing for 2014's events.
"And the outstanding harvest in 2010/11 means that there will not be a scarcity of quality Champagne to fuel this renewed air of confidence."
The Vintner, which supplies wine to Moving Venue, said it had also seen similar patterns across the capital, noting a 26% increase in trade sales of Champagne since 2011's economic decline.
Conversely trade sales of Prosecco peaked in May/June of 2013 and subsequently decreased by 18% in the second half of the year.
The UK has traditionally been one of the highest importers of Champagne and 2014 is set to return to form.
Jean Francois Clouet, a French Champagne producer, said: "A combination of a high quality wine with an exceptionally high yield in 2010/2011 coupled with the UK economy gaining more strength means Champagne producers are forecasting a UK export growth of 36% in the coming year."
