"Retailers are looking very closely at how their space is being used," said Danny Brager, vp of beverage alcohol at Nielsen, and more of that space is being used for beer. The number of items handled for wine and spirits was flat in 2009 versus the past couple of years, while the average retailer added 11 beer items last year, mainly crafts and domestic super-premiums. When looking just at the wine and spirits categories, more space was given to vodka and table wines priced in the sweet spot of $9-$15.