Carbon dioxide shortages could have a detrimental effect on carbonated soft drink and alcohol sales during the summer trading period, wholesalers have warned.
A combination of closures and maintenance to at least five producers of the gas used in the creation of carbonated drinks across Northern Europe have contributed to the shortage in the past week. Suppliers Boost, Britvic, Heineken and Coca-Cola European Partners have been affected.
Filshill retail sales director Craig Brown warned of the impact on summer sales. He said: “Soft drinks and beer make up more than 30% of our business and we are worried about the knock-on effect on our performance from restricted supply and the detrimental impact to retailers as a result.”
Federation of Wholesale Distributors chief executive James Bielby added: “Our members are reporting suppliers are rationing supply or cancelling orders to meet commitments to larger retailers.
“With the hot weather and the World Cup, suppliers who reduce allocation will miss out on one of the year’s biggest sales boosts.”
The shortage is also affecting Dhamecha and Abra Wholesale, with Dee Bee Wholesale managing director Nick Ramsden expecting “the situation to get worse”. Booker, meanwhile, has been limiting beer and soft drink supply.
