Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India’s wealthy drive surge in high-end spirits sales: Researcher

Experts attribute India’s increasing interest in luxury Scotch whisky and fine wines to its expanding economy.

Scotch whisky exports to India grew at a CAGR of 66 per cent up to 2022, outpacing the US, China, and other major markets. (Representational image: iStock)
Scotch whisky exports to India grew at a CAGR of 66 per cent up to 2022, outpacing the US, China, and other major markets. (Representational image: iStock)

INDIA’s growing affluent population is driving a significant rise in high-end spirits sales, with Scotch whisky and fine wines seeing double-digit growth, surpassing consumption rates in the US and China, according to research from a Switzerland-based expert.

"One subcategory where India exceeds China and is growing at double the rate of the USA over a five-year CAGR is Scotch luxury whisky," said Simon Joseph, a senior luxury brand builder and consumer experience expert based in Zurich.


Joseph, who is affiliated with Glion Institute of Higher Education, stated that according to various forecasts, the luxury Scotch whisky market in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16 per cent up to the end of 2024.

He further cited data from the UK-based Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), noting that Scotch whisky exports to India grew at a CAGR of 66 per cent up to 2022, outpacing the US, China, and other major markets. In 2023, 167 million bottles were exported to India, a 27 per cent increase from 2019, according to the SWA data.

"The US, in terms of value, remains dominant in Scotch whisky consumption. However, India is now the largest in terms of volume, just surpassing France. Scotland continues to be the biggest exporter of Scotch whisky," Joseph added.

Joseph works with companies in the luxury sector to expand their brands and strategies in emerging markets. He recently completed an Executive Master’s in Luxury Management at the Glion Institute of Higher Education, which is part of Sommet Education and known for its programmes in luxury and hospitality education.

His findings on India's rise in the luxury spirits market were part of his thesis titled "India as the Next Frontier for Personal Luxury." Despite being a relatively late entrant to the luxury spirits market, India is rapidly emerging as the fifth-largest market for luxury Scotch whisky, Joseph explained.

"In the luxury Scotch whisky segment, India ranks fifth, behind the USA, France, Singapore, and Taiwan. However, India has seen the fastest CAGR of all five countries at 16 per cent. The country also experienced the most robust growth in Scotch whisky consumption during and after the Covid-19 pandemic," Joseph said.

Experts attribute India’s increasing interest in luxury Scotch whisky and fine wines to its expanding economy and the rising number of high-net-worth individuals seeking premium products. "Whisky drinking has become a social ritual in India, particularly enjoyed with friends and family during celebrations," Joseph said.

Regarding rare and fine wines, Joseph pointed out that while China remains larger than India in terms of value, fine wine sales in India saw a 22.8 per cent CAGR, surpassing China’s single-digit growth.

This trend is expected to continue, with India’s growing economy and a more discerning consumer base seeking premium products that match their aspirations, Joseph noted. According to the 2024 Hurun India Rich List, India has 334 billionaires, an increase of 75 from last year. Additionally, the UBS and Credit Suisse wealth report for 2023 estimates high-net-worth individual growth in India at 69 per cent.

India’s personal luxury market is valued at £2,298 million and is expected to grow to £2,850 million over the next five years, according to Euromonitor International, Joseph concluded.

(With inputs from PTI)

More For You

Campbell Wilson

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

AIR INDIA CEO Campbell Wilson is stepping down as chair of Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary. He will be replaced by Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s chief commercial officer, according to an internal memo sent on Tuesday.

Wilson will also step down from the board of Air India Express. Basil Kwauk, Air India’s chief operating officer, will take his place.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

Tata-owned Air India is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept (Photo credit: Air India)

Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

AIR INDIA is seeking to acquire Boeing aircrafts originally destined for Chinese airlines, as escalating tariffs between Washington and Beijing disrupt planned deliveries, reported The Times.

The Tata-owned airline, currently working on its revival strategy, is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept due to the recent trade dispute. According to reports, Tata is also keen to secure future delivery slots should they become available.

Keep ReadingShow less
Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent

Getty Images

Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

INDIAN tech giant Infosys forecast muted annual revenue growth last Thursday (17) in an outlook that suggests clients might curtail tech spending because of growing global uncertainty.

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent in the fiscal year through March 2026 on a constant currency basis. The sales forecast was lower than the 4.2 per cent constantcurrency revenue growth Infosys recorded in the previous financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK retailers

For many retailers, this has meant closing stores, cutting jobs, and focusing on more profitable business segments

Getty

6 UK retailers facing major store closures in 2025

In 2025, several UK retailers are experiencing major store closures as they struggle to navigate financial pressures, rising operational costs, and changing consumer behaviours. These closures reflect the ongoing challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in an increasingly digital world. While some closures are part of larger restructuring efforts, others have been driven by financial instability or market shifts that have forced retailers to rethink their business strategies. Let’s take a closer look at six major UK retailers affected by these trends.

1. Morrisons

Morrisons, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, is undergoing a significant restructuring in 2025. The company has announced the closure of several in-store services, including 52 cafés, 18 Market Kitchens, 17 convenience stores, and various other departments. This move is part of a larger strategy to streamline operations and address rising costs. Morrisons’ parent company, CD&R, has been focusing on reducing overheads and refocusing on core services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Trump

The UK is seeking an agreement with the US to remove Trump’s 10 per cent general tariff on goods and the 25 per cent tariff on steel and cars.

Getty Images

Industry warns Starmer: Strike deal with US or face factory job losses

FACTORY owners could begin laying off workers within months unless prime minister Keir Starmer secures a trade agreement with US president Donald Trump, MPs have been told.

Make UK, an industry lobby group, told the business and trade select committee that tariffs on British exports were reducing demand for UK-manufactured goods.

Keep ReadingShow less