Miller, Coors Boost Dollar Share During Labor Day

A-B share slides on weak Bud Light showing.

Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company both managed to gain dollar share in supermarkets during a two-week Labor Day holiday period that showed solid volume and pricing, according to beer sales statistics from Nielsen.

Anheuser-Busch lost more than a point of dollar share as Bud Light slipped, according to Nielsen.

Overall, the category performed well during the two-week period ended September 8. Volume during the period was up 1.9 percent and weighted average prices were up 4.9 percent, according to Nielsen.

Miller’s dollar share increased by 0.3 points during the period, according to Nielsen. That was driven by the rollout of Miller Chill -- which achieved 1 percent dollar share -- and a 0.2 point gain by the Leinenkugel’s franchise.

While Miller’s dollar share increased, case share dipped by 0.1 points. Miller Lite’s case share slipped by 0.2 points but its average weighted case pricing -- up 4 percent -- was the strongest of the leading domestic lights.

Coors, meanwhile, increased dollar share by 0.5 points during the period. Coors Light and Blue Moon each increased share by 0.2 points. Keystone Light increased share by 0.1 points.

Coors’ case share increased by 0.7 points. That was driven primarily by Coors Light, up 0.3 points.

A-B’s dollar share slid by 1.4 points, according to Nielsen. The Bud franchise slid by 1.4 points, with Budweiser down 0.8 points, Bud Light down 0.4 points, and Bud Select down 0.3 points.

The brewer’s case share slid by a full point, according to Nielsen.

Craft beer continued its run, with case share up 0.8 points and dollar share up by 1.1 points.

Imports showed renewed strength, with case share up 0.5 points and dollar share up 0.6 points.