Retailers are still “bearing the brunt” of widespread issues with broken beer packs in wholesale.
It follows complaints that Budweiser still hasn’t fulfilled promises to improve its packaging.
Last year, major beer suppliers removed plastic shrink and ring packaging from their products, opting for more sustainable cardboard alternatives.
However, at the time, retailers reported issues with the packaging disintegrating on the shop floor, leading to lost sales and risk of injury.
Senior wholesale sources told Better Retailing the issues have become more “widespread” in depots, with Budweiser Brewing Group (BBG), Asahi and Molson Coors named as offenders.
One wholesaler criticised the suppliers for failing to “road test” the packaging before rolling it out. “We would all applaud manufacturers for trying to make their packaging more sustainable. However, the track record across the brewers is really poor when launching the new packaging, from a consumer perspective or within the supply chain.
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“The common failing is manufacturers launching the new packaging without road-testing the solution adequately. Therefore, wholesalers and retailers are bearing the brunt. BBG seems to be the main issue at the moment, especially Stella and Budweiser pint cans.
“They have been aware of the issue for 12 months, and have a project set up to improve it. However, resolution is taking a long time, which is certainly causing disruption in the supply chain with pallets collapsing and causing a lot of damages.”
The source added that, despite initial issues with packaging, Carlsberg had resolved them.
The issues with Stella Artois packaging were first reported in September, with parent company BBG pledging to investigate and improve its packaging.
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When asked by Better Retailing why issues were still occurring six months later, a BBG spokesperson said: “We are always looking at how we improve and ensure we can continue to provide customers with sustainable packaging that meet their needs.
“Since rolling out our plastic-free packaging alternatives, we have been working incredibly hard with retailers to understand how they are handling our products and where they face pressure points, with the aim of adapting and improving the durability.
“We identified issues customers have faced transporting the packs and have since been working with external partners to pilot sustainable solutions that will improve the customer handling experience.
“These solutions are currently being piloted with customers and if deemed successful, we will scale these solutions nationwide.”
Asahi was approached for comment.
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