Surprising Strength in C-Stores

Dear Client:Recent beer category results in the convenience channel suggest consumers are returning to the channel to buy beer, but they appear to be accelerating their trade down behavior. For the four weeks ending 4/18/2009 the industry saw a 2.1% increase in case volume vs the previous year with the below premium segment (near premium + budget) gaining 1.6 share points, while the premium segment lost 2.0 share points, according to Nielsen. MillerCoors lead the way with a 3.9 %