Dear Client:     Bev alc control state regulators and other industry members gathered this week in Orlando for the 86th annual NABCA conference. There's a lot to unpack from the three-day event, so let's dig in.  SHIFTS IN LEGAL APPROACH. NABCA associate general counsel Buddy Buckner kicked off the alcohol regulatory and policy update session, … Continue reading "NABCA, TTB Delve into Current Regulatory and Policy Landscape"

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"