Champagne market expanding around Christmas

The Christmas/New Year’s Eve season accounts for 40 per cent of annual champagne sales. Though the annual level of consumption shows stagnation, end of the year consumption is growing. Over 12 million litres of champagne has been sold in retail trade between October 200- September 2007. According to the Retail Index of Nielsen, the value of annual sales has approached HUF 10 billion. The market position of sparkling wine is deteriorating. Sales have shrunk by more than 30 per cent. While two major brands account for over 40 per cent of total sales in terms of volume, private label champagnes have a market share of 10 per cent. Sales of sweet champagne still account for 70 per cent of the total market.