Does size of wine glasses impact on wine sales? A replication study in bars serving 250ml portions

ISRCTN ISRCTN39401124
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN39401124
Secondary identifying numbers RG58078_2
Submission date
10/05/2018
Registration date
11/05/2018
Last edited
19/07/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims:
Previous research has suggested that wine glass size might affect purchasing of wine in bars and restaurants, with larger glasses leading to more wine being purchased. The aim of this study is to try to replicate an effect of glass size on purchasing, testing this effect in two bars serving large (250ml) portion sizes of wine by the glass.

Who can participate?
This study takes place in two bars (both belonging to the same chain of bars), one of which has previously taken part in a similar study

What does the study involve?
Depending on the study period, the size of the wine glass provided differs (being either 290ml, 350ml or 450ml). Portion sizes of wine are not altered. The study consists of nine periods, each lasting two weeks, starting in May 2018. The study measures the effect glass size has on the wine volume (in ml) sold per day in the bars.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The results from this study will help to establish the reproducibility and size of any effect of wine glass size on purchasing. Sales of wine may increase or decrease as a result of participating in the study.

Where is the study run from?
The study is being run by the Behaviour and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2018 to February 2019

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research Policy Research Programme (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Rachel Pechey

Contact information

Dr Rachel Pechey
Scientific

Institute of Public Health
University Forvie Site
Robinson Way
Cambridge
CB2 0SR
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designMultiple treatment reversal design
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleDoes size of wine glasses impact on wine sales? A replication study in bars serving 250ml portions
Study hypothesisThe size of wine glasses used alters wine sales in bars, with:
a) 350ml wine glasses increasing sales compared with 290ml wine glasses
b) 450ml wine glasses increasing sales compared with 290ml wine glasses
c) 450ml wine glasses increasing sales compared with 350ml wine glasses
Ethics approval(s)University of Cambridge Research Ethics Committee, 09/05/2017, ref: Pre.2017.035
ConditionAlcohol consumption
InterventionThe size of the wine glass in which all portions of wine served in the restaurant will be altered over fortnightly periods. Portion size will not be altered. Three different wine glass sizes will be used: 290ml, 350ml or 450ml. The study will comprise nine sequential periods lasting two weeks, alternating 350ml glasses (reference glass size) with either larger (450ml) or smaller (290ml) glasses of the same glass design (i.e. the 290ml and 450ml will be used for a total of 4 weeks each, while the 350ml reference glass will be used for a total of 10 weeks).
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureDaily volume (ml) of wine purchased throughout the 18 weeks of the study, obtained from the bars' till records
Secondary outcome measuresNo secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date01/03/2018
Overall study end date28/02/2019

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participantsTwo bars belonging to the same chain
Participant inclusion criteriaTwo bars in Cambridge, UK. One of these bars has previously participated in a study following the same study design, and the other bar is part of the same chain of bars.
Participant exclusion criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Recruitment start date10/04/2018
Recruitment end date10/05/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Behaviour and Health Research Unit
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
CB2 0SR
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Cambridge
University/education

16 Mill Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1SB
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/013meh722

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Institute for Health Research Policy Research Programme

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/09/2019
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination plan1. Planned submission of the main results of this study for publication in peer-reviewed journal
2. Presentation of results at academic conferences
3. Dissemination of the results to the public, policy makers and other researchers through targeted social media
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available because they are commercially sensitive and provided on condition that they are not shared beyond the research team.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 17/07/2019 19/07/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

19/07/2019: Publication reference added.