Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of Bud Light, continues to grapple with public disapproval and consumer boycotts, now entering their seventh week, following a failed marketing collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney. Reports indicate that the beleaguered Bud Light, currently the leading beer brand in the US, is at risk of being dethroned due to these persistent challenges.
The latest data from Bump Williams Consulting and NielsenIQ reveals a slight improvement, with Bud Light sales falling by 23.9% for the week ending May 27th, compared to a 25.7% decrease the previous week. This week marked the first instance where the decline rate did not worsen compared to the preceding week.
In a broader context, other brands under the Anheuser-Busch umbrella, including Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Busch Light, and Natural Light, have also experienced a softening of sales declines amidst a wider backlash.
Bump Williams, CEO of Bump Williams Consulting, commented to The Post, “It seems we may have reached the nadir, and there are indications of a turnaround in sales performance.”
The company’s decision to offer a $15 rebate on Bud Light 18-packs and larger sizes may have spurred a sales uptick over the Memorial Day weekend, industry analysts suggest. “Price sensitivity appears to be a key factor in this improved trend,” stated Williams. “We anticipate more aggressive price discounting across Anheuser-Busch’s portfolio this summer to recapture consumer interest.” Continued below the video
However, while sales volume is trending slightly better, the repeated weeks of declines exceeding 20% have weakened Bud Light’s hold on the top spot. The brand’s long-standing dominance is being challenged by Modelo, whose sales have outpaced Bud Light for several consecutive weeks.
For the week ending May 27, Modelo Especial sales were up 9.5% year-on-year, with sales volume increasing by 4.7%. Amidst the ongoing boycott, Bud Light’s front-line salespeople, many of whom depend on commissions, are bearing the brunt of public frustration. Reports from ABC News note that many Americans have resorted to car horns, gestures, and derisive comments to express their dissatisfaction with the brand.
Keep up the boycott. Experts say after the end of July that it might be too late for Bud Light to recover. Almost there. pic.twitter.com/b5R3XVVd8g
— Joe Biden is a Racist (@paulmunger1000) June 6, 2023
The sales team, whose livelihoods are significantly affected by this boycott, find themselves in a difficult position. One supervisor expressed to ABC News, “The real impact is on those who are commission-based. They are the ones really suffering from this situation. They were blindsided, and there was nothing they could have done to prevent this.”
As we ponder the ongoing situation, two quotes come to mind. Peter Drucker, a renowned management consultant, once said, “The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.” Also, as marketing expert Seth Godin wisely stated, “Don’t find customers for your products, find products for your customers.” These quotes highlight the importance of understanding customers and their values in today’s business environment.
Why are companies committing suicide? Take a look at these critters – Who the hell do these Leftists think they are to ‘force behaviors’?
Ever wonder why companies like Bud Light, Target and Kohls go Pro-Trans & all Woke?
Listen to BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink about how they leverage their TRILLIONS of dollars to control them! pic.twitter.com/mJdDtQoWGr
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) June 6, 2023
Want to know more?
- Just leaving this here, not to contribute to more cynicism or anything. Some people might suspect that the Bud Light thing has a deeper layer to it. – Yahoo Finance
- Anheuser-Busch might be permanently damaged – Daily Caller