Vodka Still Holding Court

Dollar sales of spirits grew 3.4% in the four weeks to May 18, 2008, according to IRI scan data. Vodka grew 6.5%, followed by brandy (4.4%), whiskey (4.3%), rum (3.5%), gin (3.1%), tequila (1.9%) and cognac (-3.1%). This indicates that pricing is either on the rise or people are trading up to more expensive spirits brands (improved mix/shift). Volume of spirits rose 2.2% in the four week period, with vodka showing the most volume growth (6.3%) and cognac declining the