Tequila Drives Spirits Growth in Control States
The spirits category delivered 3.7% volume growth and 6.3% sales growth in control states in 2019. The 3.7% volumetric growth rate was the highest annual growth rate since 2006. The category topped out at 55 million cases and $10.4 billion in sales. Tequila was the...
The TTB Approved Over 180,000 Alcohol Products in 2019
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved 180,400 products in 2019, a 4.5% increase from the prior year. Wine represented the majority of new entrants at 123,000, followed by beer with 41,300 products, while the spirits category introduced 16,100...
Gallo Debuts Barefoot Hard Seltzer
E&J Gallo’s Barefoot Wine brand has entered the booming hard seltzer category with a wine-based offering. Barefoot hard seltzer is launching nationwide next month with four flavors: Pineapple & Passion Fruit, Cherry & Cranberry, Peach & Nectarine, and...
Flo Rida Becomes Equity Partner of Victor George Spirits
American rapper, Flo Rida, has partnered with the CEO of Victor George Spirits, Victor G. Harvey, to build a facility in Fort Lauderdale. Tramar Dillard, known professionally as Flo Rida, will be an equity owner and brand ambassador. The 13,000-square-foot facility...
Trends Shaping American Whiskey in 2020
The consumer demand for brown spirits has resulted in an American whiskey boom with category innovation reaching new heights. Beverage Wholesaler editor Kyle Swartz identifies some of the key trends driving the category in 2020—such as movement toward blended whiskey,...
Suntory Holdings Takes 10% Stake in Edrington
Japanese drinks company Suntory Holdings has agreed to buy 10% of the shares in Edrington, owner of The Macallan, Highland Park, and Famous Grouse brands. Suntory Holdings and Edrington have had distribution agreements in several key international markets over the...
Walmart Rolling Out Alcohol Delivery in Florida and California
In November, Walmart added alcohol purchases to its curbside grocery pickup service in 2,000 stores across the US. Additionally, 600 Walmarts in California and Florida will offer home delivery of alcoholic products by the end of January, according to Walmart VP of...
Hard Seltzer Category on Track to Reach 281 Million Cases by 2023
Hard seltzer products continue to see meteoric growth in the US, capturing consumers from all demographics and age groups, according to Brandy Rand, the COO of IWSR. Hard seltzer volume in the US totaled 82.5 million cases in 2019 and it is expected to reach over 281...
China and The U.S. Sign Phase One Trade Agreement
The signing of the Phase One trade agreement between China and the U.S. has led to the suspension of additional tariff increases in China on certain U.S. spirits. China agreed to suspend the increase of tariffs on U.S. distilled spirits including: American brandy,...