Champagne, that unwavering symbol of luxury and distinction, is facing an unexpected challenge. Despite the usual euphoria of the end-of-year festivities, sales in 2024 are down 9.2%, with only 271.4 million bottles shipped. A figure that, if that were not enough, looks even more radical when compared to 2022, when revenues exceeded 6 billion dollars and bottles sold were close to 300 million. What’s going on? According to the Comité Champagne, this drop is not an isolated phenomenon, but a clear sign of an uncertain global climate: inflation, geopolitical tensions and a general aversion to spending, especially in key markets such as France and the United States. But there is hope. 2025 could be the year when the bubble sector makes a comeback. Champagne is in crisis: The end of bubbly luxury?
One of the strongest bets for reactivation is on travel retail, that parallel world where anything can happen. Airports, stations and terminals are emerging as the new scenario for liquid luxury. By 2025, this sector is expected to exceed 100 billion dollars globally, recovering ground lost during the pandemic, thanks to the revival of international travellers and a steady increase in air traffic. Projections point to growth of 1.7% in 2024 and 1.8% in 2025, with an annual expansion of 3.4% until 2040, which translates into almost 4 billion additional passengers. Against this backdrop, Champagne has a golden opportunity to position itself in duty free channels, where demand remains intact. According to Andrew Bardsley, brand director of Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, this resurgence has led the brand to bring Perrier-Jouët champagne back to the market in key destinations.
Traveler behavior is also evolving, and with it, the way they buy. Whereas the airport was once the place to give gifts, now self-gifting is booming. ATRI data reveals that 51% of travelers buy for themselves, while 25% do so to give as a gift, 16% to share on their return, and 8% to order. Of these purchases, 30% are totally impulsive, without prior planning. In this context, champagne brands must stop being mere bottle sellers and start creating on-site experiences. Tastings, exclusive spaces within airports, or areas designed to enjoy champagne at the moment of purchase, could be the key to transforming the “trés chic” trip. Because, in the end, what is sought is not just a bottle, but a unique moment.
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