Lager in the UK

Here are couple of apparently contradictory stories from The Publican about bottled lager in the UK. Whilst imported Czech lager is prospering, wonderful beers like Budweiser (the shitty US version) and Beck's are struggling. In the year to March 2007, Budweiser sales were down 10% , Beck's 6%.

Bottled Lager: Keep the faith
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storycode=56728

"Last month, Mintel research concluded that the downward trend in lager sales is
not just a summer blip but that the market will fall by eight per cent before 2012 to reach a point where 3.65 billion litres would be consumed that year – some 307 million litres down on this year’s sales."

"Nielsen’s research on the market in the 12 months to March 2007 concludes that “premium (‘premium’ is defined as lager above 4.3 per cent ABV, covering almost all bottled lager brands in the on-trade) bottled lager is now declining ahead of premium draught lager at minus seven per cent in the three months to March 2007”."

Market shares of bottled lagers in the UK:
Budweiser 33.7%
Beck's 15.2%
Corona 14.5%
Stella Artois 6.8%
Peroni 5.8%
Miller 4.7%
Others 20.3%


Bottled Lager: Czech invasion
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storycode=56733

"The story of Czech lager on these shores is an example of how to conquer a market – send in an advance guard of bottles and then follow up with draught."

You can't imagine how upset I am to hear about any fall in lager sales. Poor SABMiller and Inbev. How will they feed their children?