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. 2016 Jun 7:16:390.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3068-z.

Does wine glass size influence sales for on-site consumption? A multiple treatment reversal design

Rachel Pechey  1 , Dominique-Laurent Couturier  1 , Gareth J Hollands  1 , Eleni Mantzari  1 , Marcus R Munafò  2 , Theresa M Marteau  3
Affiliations

Does wine glass size influence sales for on-site consumption? A multiple treatment reversal design

Rachel Pechey et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Wine glass size can influence both perceptions of portion size and the amount poured, but its impact upon purchasing and consumption is unknown. This study aimed to examine the impact of wine glass size on wine sales for on-site consumption, keeping portion size constant.

Methods: In one establishment (with separate bar and restaurant areas) in Cambridge, England, wine glass size (Standard; Larger; Smaller) was changed over eight fortnightly periods. The bar and restaurant differ in wine sales by the glass vs. by the bottle (93 % vs. 63 % by the glass respectively).

Results: Daily wine volume purchased was 9.4 % (95 % CI: 1.9, 17.5) higher when sold in larger compared to standard-sized glasses. This effect seemed principally driven by sales in the bar area (bar: 14.4 % [3.3, 26.7]; restaurant: 8.2 % [-2.5, 20.1]). Findings were inconclusive as to whether sales were different with smaller vs. standard-sized glasses.

Conclusions: The size of glasses in which wine is sold, keeping the portion size constant, can affect consumption, with larger glasses increasing consumption. The hypothesised mechanisms for these differential effects need to be tested in a replication study. If replicated, policy implications could include considering glass size amongst alcohol licensing requirements.

Trial registration: ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN12018175 . Registered 12(th) May 2015.

Keywords: Alcohol; Choice architecture; Glass size; Sales.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Design of glasses used in the study (filled to 175 ml)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Percentage change in daily ml of wine sold, compared to sales with the standard glass (error bars show 95 % CIs). All regressions controlled for day of the week, overall sales (excluding wine sales) in the establishment each day and maximum daily temperature in Cambridge. Standard glasses were the reference group for glass size. Coefficients and CIs were back-transformed (using 100*[exp(B)-1]), to reflect percentage change in daily ml of wine sold when using different glass sizes compared to the standard glass
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