Dear Client:     Overall, wine and spirits trends have been decelerating recently, but there are always bright spots.  As part of a presentation last week, SipSource analysts Danny Brager and Dale Stratton highlighted wine and spirits categories that have significant volume share and are growing consistently, i.e. two years of consecutive growth through March. For … Continue reading “These Wine and Spirits Categories are Big and Growing Consistently”

Dear Client:     Earlier this week we published the first part of our conversation with Coppa Cocktails leadership and MS Walker [see WSD 02-22-2023]. Today we’ll pick up where we left off, digging into the supplier/importer relationship, and the company’s ambitious future plans.  WORKING WITH MS WALKER: A “UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP.” As previously reported, Coppa relaunched … Continue reading “Part II: Coppa Cocktails Bullish on Goal to Double Distribution & Sales”

Dear Client:     Today Foley Family Wines (FFW) announced an expansion into the spirits space by acquiring the Bently Heritage Estate Distillery facility in Minden, Nevada. No financial details were disclosed.  “It’s a big strategic move for us in terms of getting our own resources to make spirits,” Foley Family Wines president Shawn Schiffer tells … Continue reading “Foley Family Wines Makes “Big Strategic Move” into Spirits Biz”

Dear Client:     Coppa Cocktails is a brand with a long history, but has hit its stride in recent years. The ready-to-drink product got its start overseas and is quickly establishing itself as a player in the US, hitting over 30,000 cases within its first year in the market.   Your editor sat down with Jose … Continue reading “How Coppa Cocktails Found its Second Wind in the US”

Dear Client:    Spirits volumes have been decelerating for the last year or so, down 0.3% for the rolling 12 months through March, according to the latest SipSource data. Excluding RTDs, spirits volumes are down even further at -3.4%. And wine volumes have been trailing for some time, down 6.7% in the same period. Fortunately, SipSource analysts … Continue reading “W&S Trends Decelerating, But SipSource Analysts Expect Improvement in H2”

Dear Client:     Last year a group of California retailers filed a class action suit against Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits over alleged price discrimination. The case is now closed and has been moved to arbitration.  HOW WE GOT HERE. In July 2022 several California-based independent liquor store owners filed a class action lawsuit against … Continue reading “SGWS Pricing Lawsuit Kicked to Arbitration”

Dear Client:     Earlier this month E&J Gallo’s spirit arm, Spirit of Gallo, announced the acquisition of New York-based ready-to-drink brand Fishers Island Lemonade for an undisclosed sum [see WSD 05-01-2023].  Your editor got Spirit of Gallo svp and gm Britt West on the horn to discuss the acquisition, how it fits into the company’s … Continue reading “How Fishers Island Fits into Gallo’s Wider RTD Strategy”

Dear Client:    Republic National Distributing Co. today announced the acquisition of Young Won Trading Distribution, expanding its footprint to include North Carolina. No financial details were disclosed. “We’re excited to expand our footprint with this purchase,” says RNDC coo Bob Hendrickson. “This increases business in VA, MD, D.C., PA and expands our distribution to NC. We … Continue reading “RNDC Acquires Young Won Trading, Expands into NC”

Dear Client:     Today Drizly released its fifth annual Consumer Trend Report, based on data derived from the platform as well as a nationwide survey of about 1,000 LDA adults.  “This year’s report found adult beverage consumers adapting to a post-pandemic world, while experiencing the impacts of inflation,” says Drizly head of consumer insights Liz … Continue reading “Survey: What Consumers Plan to Drink this Summer”

Dear Client:     Beer and spirits account for the majority of bev alc consumption occasions (more than 60%), but the ready-to-drink category is catching up, accounting for around 20% of bev alc occasions, according to recent NielsenIQ research.  In a webinar last week, NielsenIQ dug into the who, what, when, where, with whom, and why … Continue reading “NielsenIQ: Breaking Down RTD Consumption Trends”

Dear Client:     Major M&A deals have been met with more scrutiny in recent years as well as opposition. As such, Kroger and Albertsons are ready and willing to fight for their deal if necessary.  “Usually you wouldn’t commit in advance to litigate. In this case we both committed to litigate in advance,” Kroger ceo … Continue reading “Kroger and Albertsons Prepared to Fight to Complete Deal”

Dear Client:     Earlier this year, Vintage Wine Estates announced that founder Pat Roney stepped down as ceo as well as plans to simplify and deleverage its business [see WSD 02-10-2023]. On yesterday’s earnings call the team discussed nine-month results and the current progress being made on its business realignment strategies.  Interim ceo Jon Moramarco … Continue reading “VWE in Transition, Aims to Increase Profitability, Generate Cash & Reduce Debt”

Dear Client:     There are still some out-of-state retailer shipping cases working through the legal system. The latest update comes from Illinois-based retailer House of Glunz’ case against Ohio’s retailer shipping laws.  A district judge recently sided with the state, but the retailer is hoping the appeals court will see things differently, while the state … Continue reading “Ohio Claims Opening Up Retailer Shipping Would “Upend” its Regulatory System”

Dear Client:     After 16 years of collaboration, family-owned Italian fine wine producer Marchesi Antinori and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced that Marchesi Antinori will take over full ownership of Napa-based Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. No financial details were disclosed.  “There are few opportunities in one’s lifetime when such an important and historical winery as … Continue reading “Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Changes Ownership as SMWE Focuses on Pac NW”

Dear Client:     Since joining Archer Roose Wines in 2021, coo and co-owner (and famous Hollywood actress, writer, producer and director) Elizabeth Banks has elevated the alternative packaged wine company’s message of sustainability and approachability with her irreverent approach to storytelling.  “I think there was a persistent mythology in this category that wine in a … Continue reading “How Sustainability Positively Impacts Archer Roose’s Bottom Line”