Sales of Bud Light and other brands from Anheuser-Busch are falling in the US.

Retail sales of Bud Light were down 23.4% in the week of April 29 compared to the same period a year ago, a worse decline than the previous week’s 21.4% fall, according to The New York Post.

Sales of other Anheuser-Busch brands are also taking a hit, with flagship Budweiser down 11.4% for the week ending April 29. Michelob Ultra, the third biggest-selling beer in the US after Bud Light and Modelo Especial, saw sales drop 4.4%. Transheuser-Busch’s Natural Light brand is down 5.2%, while Busch Light is down 1.8%.

The drop in sales comes after a social media partnership in April between Bud Light and transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney resulted in a wave of backlash and boycotts of the beer.

The marketing executive responsible for the partnership is reportedly taking a leave of absence. HSBC has downgraded the stock to hold, saying there are “deeper problems than ABI admits.” Analyst Carlos Laboy believes it’s time to step to the sidelines on Anheuser-Busch InBev as it deals with a “Bud Light crisis.”

The article’s author believes that the Bud Light controversy has highlighted a cultural shift in the US, where people are no longer willing to accept the normalization of homosexuality and transvestism in entertainment, media, culture, and advertising.

The author argues that while people have been tolerant of drag queens and transvestites for decades, they are no longer willing to have it “constantly shoved in our faces and normalized, especially when it’s targeted at children under the age of consent.”

The author suggests that the normalization of homosexuality and transvestism has been a failed strategy by “fascist corporate overlords” in entertainment, media, and culture. The author claims that “heterosexuals will never be comfortable with two guys kissing” and that “everyone knows it’s either a sexual fetish or a mental illness. That’s not something you can normalize.”

However, the cultural shift highlighted by the Bud Light controversy is more complex than the author suggests. While some people may be uncomfortable with the normalization of homosexuality and transvestism, many others see it as a positive step towards inclusivity and diversity. Brands that embrace these values are likely to resonate with younger, more diverse audiences.

Ultimately, the Bud Light controversy and the drop in sales for Anheuser-Busch highlight the importance of understanding cultural values and attitudes when it comes to marketing and advertising. While some audiences may respond well to messages of inclusivity and diversity, others may be put off by them. Brands need to navigate these complexities carefully to ensure they appeal to the widest possible audience.

This piece was written by LifeZette on May 10, 2023. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

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