2024
2024
Top 100 Retailers
SHOWCASING NEW PRODUCTS
With Wine , Beer , & Spirits ’ flagship store spanning 30,000 square feet , there ’ s plenty of space to include a bar and seating area . They even have an outside patio , helping make the store feel like a place to hang out with friends or family .
One of the perks of having the bars in store is getting shoppers to try new products . “ You ’ re more likely to buy a high-end tequila if you can try it first at the bar ,” notes Konen .
Because of the competitive prices that Wine , Beer , & Spirits offers , it not only encourages consumers to buy a full bottle of the beverage they ’ ve tried at the bar , but it also allows a larger demographic to try new and expensive products .
“ It ’ s a great way to put liquid to lips and get people to try new things ,” states Wine , Beer , & Spirits ’ store manager Sean . “ It ’ s helped increase revenue on a lot of products . “ We ’ ve got a large number of folks that will bring in friends on the weekend who can come in and hang out in a comfortable setting .”
Beau Starkel , CEO of Wine , Beer , & Spirits
Inside each Wine , Beer , & Spirits location , customers can shop thousands of products , all while having a drink in hand .
A STORE WITHIN A STORE
When customers aren ’ t grabbing a drink , they can peruse the shelves and find beverages in categories including beer , wine , spirits , cordials and liqueurs , RTDs , growlers , cigars , mixers and more .
Wine , Beer , & Spirits also offers physical space for local vendors , leveraging the liquor stores ’ foot traffic to promote their brands . Konen cites that customers can enjoy shopping at the “ store within a store ,” Wahoo Meats . They sell locally sourced frozen and smoked meats , along with gourmet spices , sauces , cheeses and other snacks .
“ We ’ re more than just another runof-the-mill booze shop ,” Konen says . “ We also hold weekly events including food trucks , tap takeovers at the bar , supplier giveaways , product samplings , bourbon raffles , whiskey and wine tastings and more . Customers can leave our store with a smile on their face , an experience to share with friends and a plan to come back .”
CREATING LOYAL CUSTOMERS
Keeping consumers happy and coming back is one of Wine , Beer , & Spirits ’ top priorities . A few years ago , they installed QR code placards around all their stores with links to customer surveys . This has helped to give the stores feedback on what they ’ re doing right and what they could be doing better .
“ We originally used them to have people sign up for raffles , and it went really well , so we thought we could use them to get feedback in real time ,” says Konen . “ We also put QR codes on every receipt and we ’ re getting about 100−200 surveys a week at this point . It ’ s been overwhelmingly positive .”
16 Beverage Dynamics • 2024 Top 100 Issue www . beveragedynamics . com