2024
2024
Top 100 Retailers
Bagley Liquor ’ s new store location features a large selection of wine , spirits , beer , mixers , cordials , liqueurs , tobacco , wine accessories and newly added THC products .
cessories . Recently , they added THC-infused beverages to their shelves , which has proven to be a profitable revenue stream .
“ It seems like every month the sales continue to increase ,” notes Arnold . “ We also just added edibles to our product selection , as well . In my opinion , it ’ s almost like wine , where customers want to read about the different varieties and products .”
Due to this category ’ s popularity , Arnold says that Bagley Liquor will continue to offer THC products . “ Our margins are very good and it ’ s bringing in a whole new customer base . We have shoppers coming in that aren ’ t liquor drinkers , but they ’ ll try the edibles and THC beverages ,” he explains .
Along with the store ’ s prominent THC selection , Bagley Liquor is also known to have one of the “ neatest bourbon selections north of the Mississippi ,” according to Arnold .
“ Bourbon is a huge category in our store ,” he says . “ We ’ ve seen some trends lately with people changing their buying habits due to the economy , but bourbon sales are not changing . We may not have the largest selection , but we have some of the nicest bourbons you can find .”
STORE IMPROVEMENTS
One major improvement that Arnold has done in the store is reset the cream liqueur section . “ I went from a block layout to a ribbon layout , which seems to be improving sales ,” he says . “ The reason for this is I feel that customers who normally shop the beer coolers are used to looking at everything ribbon style , or vertical brand , as I call it .”
To make it easier for the customer , Arnold decided to lay the liquor shelves out the same way and place the brands in a vertical sequence . He cites that it has improved sales in the departments in which he tested the new layout and plans on converting the rest of the liquor and wine departments over to this ribbon style over the next few months .
“ I also plan on expanding my summer tasting schedules ,” Arnold states . “ We do very well with our wine classes and I ’ m going to expand it . I ’ m looking at doing high-end bourbon classes and possibly high-end tequila classes to improve these departments .”
Arnold started these classes in the backroom at the old store . But now that the new Bagley Liquor location has a big multipurpose room , there ’ s additional space for more people .
“ We ’ re also looking at possibly doing some THC classes and teaching consumers about the different products that are out there ,” he says . “ Since Covid , we installed a TV for brand representatives to play slideshow presentations , but we have also done some Zoom meetings with winemakers .”
12 Beverage Dynamics • 2024 Top 100 Issue www . beveragedynamics . com