West Europe - 40% growth for 8 successive years
Europe's fastest growing service sector of water coolers maintained its astonishing track record of more than 40% growth for an eighth successive year in 1997, according to the latest Guide to Water Coolers in Europe from specialist consultants Zenith International.
The number of water coolers jumped by 43% to 386,000 and sales volumes advanced 40% to 267 million litres. The well established UK market remains the largest with 165,000 units and a 43% share, followed by France with 60,000 and 16%. The other key markets are Scandinavia on 16% and Benelux on 13%.
"The continuing momentum of water coolers is demonstrated most vividly by the relative newcomers," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "Greece was up 600%, Austria 500%, Italy 300%, Spain 250%, Portugal 150% and Switzerland 100%. Although volumes represent less than 1% of all bottled water, the cooler share of bottled water growth has surged to 6%."
Looking at every aspect of the market in detail, the Zenith Guide shows that spring water on 37% has pulled clear of mineral water on 24% and eau de boisson on 22%. 18.9 litre bottles have become the standard in most countries with an overall 75% share. The average unit has a throughput of 3.6 bottles per month.
US owned Ionics and Canadian owned Sparkling Spring were the two biggest companies at the end of 1997 with over 25,000 units each in Britain. Chateaud'Eau in France was the only other with more than 20,000 units.
"Many of the industry leaders have been involved in a series of recent acquisitions and further consolidation is expected this winter," adds Richard Hall. "We forecast the cooler population will reach 500,000 by the end of 1998 and 1 million in 2003."
The six volumes of the Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in Europe contain 650 pages, 210 company profiles and 16 country commentaries. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
The number of water coolers jumped by 43% to 386,000 and sales volumes advanced 40% to 267 million litres. The well established UK market remains the largest with 165,000 units and a 43% share, followed by France with 60,000 and 16%. The other key markets are Scandinavia on 16% and Benelux on 13%.
"The continuing momentum of water coolers is demonstrated most vividly by the relative newcomers," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "Greece was up 600%, Austria 500%, Italy 300%, Spain 250%, Portugal 150% and Switzerland 100%. Although volumes represent less than 1% of all bottled water, the cooler share of bottled water growth has surged to 6%."
Looking at every aspect of the market in detail, the Zenith Guide shows that spring water on 37% has pulled clear of mineral water on 24% and eau de boisson on 22%. 18.9 litre bottles have become the standard in most countries with an overall 75% share. The average unit has a throughput of 3.6 bottles per month.
US owned Ionics and Canadian owned Sparkling Spring were the two biggest companies at the end of 1997 with over 25,000 units each in Britain. Chateaud'Eau in France was the only other with more than 20,000 units.
"Many of the industry leaders have been involved in a series of recent acquisitions and further consolidation is expected this winter," adds Richard Hall. "We forecast the cooler population will reach 500,000 by the end of 1998 and 1 million in 2003."
The six volumes of the Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in Europe contain 650 pages, 210 company profiles and 16 country commentaries. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901