Booze ban sends sales of alcohol-free drinks soaring

Government’s ban on the sale of alcohol during the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown has created an unexpected windfall for the alcohol-free beverage industry.

Sales of alcohol-free beer, cider, wine and sparkling wine at major retailers, including Spar, Woolworths and Checkers, have shot through the roof over the past few weeks.

Michael Egling, owner of the KwikSpar in Hillcrest, Durban, said the sale of some products had increased fourfold. “Heineken Zero, in particular, has flown off the shelves, followed closely by Devil’s Peak’s Hero and Savanna.”