The alcohol industry can be defined in various ways, with no agreed settled definition. The term is most commonly used to refer to corporations engaged in the production of alcoholic beverages. However, broader definitions also exist. The World Health Organization, for example, refers to 'manufacturers of alcoholic beverages, wholesale distributors, major retailers and importers that deal solely and exclusively in alcohol beverages, or whose primary income comes from trade in alcohol beverages', a definition that has been adopted by Public Health England (PHE).
PHE's definition also includes entities that are dependent on funding and support from the industry, such as business associations or other non-state actors representing or funded largely by any of the previously outlined entities, as well as: industry lobbyists; coalitions; corporate philanthropic foundations; charities; and social aspect (public relations) organisations (SAPROs).
The alcohol industry exerts significant influence, not only in its commercial activities but also over social and political perceptions and responses to alcohol. It does so through a variety of activities, including: the development of alliances, with trade associations and SAPROs, and with non-industry allies such as think tanks; and corporate social responsibility programmes.
The Institute of Alcohol Studies has estimated that the production and sale of alcohol was worth £46 billion to the UK economy in 2014, accounting for 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product and 3.7% of all consumer spending. The vast majority of the economic value of alcohol production in the UK comes from two different activities: brewing beer for the domestic market (largely to be sold in the on-trade) and distilling spirits for export (predominantly Scotch whisky).
As well as making and selling alcohol, researchers have identified five different ways in which industry actors seek to influence regulation:
- Constituency building
- Policy substitution
- Information and messaging
- Financial incentives
- Trade and litigation
This page contains detailed information on how the alcohol industry operates.
Resources available on this page:
- Frequently Asked Questions about 'The alcohol industry', with infographics presenting the most up-to-date statistics on the subject
- Factsheets providing an in depth perspective on the subject of 'The alcohol industry'
- Publications, Blogs, and News tagged 'The alcohol industry' for further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Publications (View all)

Brexit battlegrounds: Where are public health and the alcohol industry likely to clash in the years ahead?
May 2018
Blogs (View all)
A brief window of opportunity: The case of MUP in England
7th February 2020 | Benjamin Hawkins
Ben Hawkins writes about the pricing policy’s short lived time in the spotlight Read more »
Has pub diversification ended decades of decline?
22nd January 2020 | Alcohol Policy UK
Adapted from Alcohol Policy UK Read more »
International trade, alcohol policy and health regulation
6th January 2020 | Arianna Andreangeli
Arianna Andreangeli asks whether the current crisis of the WTO appellate body is likely to have an impact on this complex equation? Read more »
News (View all)
New report on how nudge theory shapes alcohol policy
Theory frames public as ‘blameworthy’, alcohol industry as ‘reliable’ Read more »
Reformulate sugary alcohol drinks
NGO in call to lower sugar content of RTDs Read more »
Alcohol industry CSR actions ineffective
Improving public relations seen as more important than improving public health say researchers Read more »