DATA DRIVEN

Beverage industry insights and analysis

by MELISSA DOWLING

As part of our ongoing tracking of the industry , the Beverage Information Group surveys our readers quarterly , collecting trends / sentiment data from distributors , on-premise and off-premise operators . For our most recent study , conducted in September 2023 , whiskey remains the category most impacting the business , both on- and off-premise .

Tequila is still strong for retailers , but it ’ s faded a bit for the bars and restaurants surveyed . Craft beer , meanwhile , is hot on-premise , but not so much off-premise ; in fact , domestic beer is selling better than craft in stores . Vodka sales were strong among both on- and off-premise operators .

Wine sales overall faltered in the off-premise , according to respondents . Both restaurants and stores report that sales of white wine had increased , not surprising in the summer months . But the plurality of retail respondents said that rosé sales had slipped in the quarter , which is unusual considering the seasonal popularity of pink wines and the many new entrants to the market .

The economy continued to hurt demand on- and off-premise , but the plurality of bar and restaurant respondents say Covid concerns are still suppressing demand . Yet most of the on-premise operators said that their most recent quarterly beverage sales were above or on plan , while most of the retailers said that they were on or below plan .

That would explain why retailers rated their satisfaction as an operator / business executive lower than the restaurants , based on current conditions as well as based on a oneto two-year outlook .

For more information about our beverage reader surveys and for pricing information about adding questions to upcoming surveys , contact Debbie Rittenberg at drittenberg @ epgacceleration . com . •

80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

RATE THE IMPACT OF THESE FACTORS ON BAR / RESTAURANT TRAFFIC DURING THE PREVIOUS QUARTER

26.6 %

14.2 %

ON-PREMISE

Hurt Demand No Impact Helped Demand

46.6 % 46.6 %

57.1 %

26.6 %

OFF-PREMISE

RATE YOUR OPERATION ’ S OVERALL BEVERAGE ALCOHOL SALES FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER

6.6 %

14.2 %

28.5 %

26.6 %

13.3 %

10.7 %

53.3 %

50.0 %

35.7 %

40.0 %

53.5 %

53.3 %

67.8 %

25.0 %

ON-PREMISE

40.0 %

40.0 %

6.6 %

7.14 %

33.3 %

13.3 % 13.3 % 13.3 %

35.7 % 35.7 % 35.7 %

OFF-PREMISE

28.5 %

0.00 % 0.00 %

60.0 %

0.0 %

57.1 % 42.8 %

33.3 %

40.0 %

0.0 % 0.0 %

46.6 %

13.3 %

Cocktails / Spirits Wine Beer

35.7 %

25.0 % 21.4 %

Spirits Wine Beer

73.3 %

Hurt Demand No Impact Helped Demand

14.2 %

6.6 %

26.6 %

57.1 %

28.5 %

17.8 %

Down Flat Up

60.0 %

21.4 %

Don ' t Stock

Down Flat Up

40.0 %

0.0 %

COVID-19 Pandemic

50.0 %

28.5 %

COVID-19 Pandemic

Don ' t Stock

6 Beverage Dynamics • September 2023 www . beveragedynamics . com