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:    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:    Craft spirits industry leaders Dave Schmier and Paul Hletko announced today that they've teamed up to acquire Goza Tequila. No financial details were disclosed. Goza was founded in 2015, and the portfolio includes blanco (srp $38), reposado (srp $40) and anejo (srp $50). Dave and Paul plan to release a limited selection of Anejo … Continue reading "Spirits Industry Veterans Acquire Goza Tequila"

Dear Client:    Non-alc spirits brand Drink Monday was founded in 2019. Last year, the company generated $3.7 million in revenue, bringing the total to $9 million in lifetime sales. 95% of that business is digital. But now the company is looking to make a big shift this year, focusing on brick-and-mortar retail expansion. To support that … Continue reading "Non-Alc Brand Drink Monday Launches Fundraise to Support Retail Expansion"

Dear Client:    Earlier this year Breakthru Beverage Group made a big move into the California market, with the acquisition of California-based Wine Warehouse [see WSD 01-17-2023]. Today the company announced the completion of the acquisition, and as a result, Breakthru is implementing a new regional structure, WSD has learned. Breakthru's footprint now covers 16 markets, with … Continue reading "Breakthru Implements New Operating Model to Support Growing Footprint"

Dear Client:   This morning Diageo announced that global ceo Ivan Menezes will retire and leave the Diageo board on June 30 after 10 years of leading the company. Taking the helm is rising star at the company, current coo Debra Crew. During Ivan's tenure Diageo has "grown significantly," and is the No.1 company by net sales … Continue reading "Diageo Chief Ivan Menezes to Retire, Debra Crew to Take His Place"

Dear Client:  This week Pernod Ricard USA announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Skrewball peanut butter whiskey [see WSD 03-21-2023]. No financial details were disclosed, but it's not exactly a small brand. Indeed, Skrewball depleted about 600,000 cases in 2022, and has sold more than 2 million 9L cases since its launch … Continue reading "Skrewball Founders Excited for the Future"

Dear Client:  In 2018, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) publicly declared its support for allowing states to choose whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana use. A few years later, the trade group issued guidance on cannabis regulation based on bev alc's existing regulations [see WSD 03-17-2021]. Now WSWA is taking it a … Continue reading "Federal Cannabis Legalization Now a “Real Priority” for WSWA"

Dear Client:  The ready-to-drink category has garnered attention from more than just suppliers and consumers. State legislatures are taking notice of the booming category as well, particularly spirits-based RTDs. Indeed, legislation has been proposed across multiple states recently, including lowering taxes, increasing market access, and even shelf placement. Your editors rounded up the latest RTD bills … Continue reading "A Look at How State Legislators are Handling RTDs"

Dear Client:  This morning Pernod Ricard USA announced it has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Skrewball peanut butter whiskey. Financial details were not disclosed.  Skrewball was founded in 2018 by Steven and Brittany Yeng, billed as the original peanut butter flavored whiskey. Last year the brand surpassed the 500,000 9L case … Continue reading "Pernod RicardAcquires Majority Stake in Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey"