Bud Light Sales Drop Following Transgender Influencer Partnership Controversy
Bud Light has experienced a decrease in sales for the third consecutive week in April 2023. The decline is linked to the company’s partnership with a transgender influencer, with some Americans feeling frustrated about big brands pushing left-wing and gender ideology through their products. Off-premises sales of Bud Light outside of hospitality premises have fallen by 26% in the week ending April 22, according to industry monitors, Beer Business Daily. Additionally, sales of other beer brands have risen by a similar amount compared to the same period last year. Sales revenue decreased by 17% in the weeks before, with beer sales volume contracting by 11% in the week ending April 8 and 21% in the week ending April 15.
Impact on the Brand
The Bud Light boycott has had a prolonged negative impact on the company, with many accusing it of alienating its traditional customer base. At a rally in Iowa, supporters of Kari Lake, the GOP candidate for Arizona Governor in 2022, refused to drink the beer, and a bar owner in Kentucky claimed the drink sparked arguments between patrons. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, along with multiple other Republican lawmakers also joined the boycotting efforts. Country music star Kid Rock along with multiple other musicians and celebrities also boycotted the Bud Light as a result.
Since the controversy began, Bud Light and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, have made few public interventions, and two top marketing executives have taken a leave of absence. Their memo on Twitter, where they gave a soft apology, did little to ease the situation. The boycott by some customers has been described as the most successful in history, and conservatives have hailed it as a win for their cause.
— Anheuser-Busch (@AnheuserBusch) April 14, 2023
The boycott by some customers has been described as the most successful in history, and conservatives have hailed it as a win for their cause.
They shot themselves in the foot on this one. And even now they didn’t fire the marketing people who did this. Didn’t issue a real apology. What a bunch of “woke” idiots!
STUPID IS COMPLETE STUPID
This is the only effective way to correct the woke nonsense in the boardrooms. Hit them hard and keep it up. No slacking after a few weeks. Only add more to the pile and keep the numbers sinking like a stone. Force change from the right due to real economics, not just idle leftist threats that have no punch.