Google searches for local beer delivery shot up 500% in lockdown

Google saw a 500 per cent increase in people searching for local beer delivery during lockdown, the search engines UK managing director has said.

However a decline in demand after lockdown measures lifted has led to a call from online beer and alcohol retailers, as well as small breweries, for more government support.

Speaking to ITVs Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Google's UK chief Ronan Harris said there had also been a 1,300 per cent increase in searches for local produce, including the terms local farm box and local meat delivery over the past few months.

In April, beer and wine supplier Rebellious Goods reported a 1,000 per cent increase in sales and its online business saw the average spend increase to 60 from 20.

Craft Metropolis, an online craft beer shop based in south-east London, told The Independent it saw Google searches for beer delivery rocket in March and April and perform especially well in May and June.

But with pubs and restaurants reopening, combined with the fact the UK has entered a recession, consumer demand for beer deliveries have now returned to normal, he added.

Theres been a huge increase in breweries and distributors who have product at source or at lower price points creating business-to-customer platforms.

The fact that the government has signalled tax rises for small brewers, but not telling us by how much is further adding to the uncertainty, worry and anger.