EDITOR ' S NOTE
The Alcohol Industry Remains Resilient
I don ’ t know about you , but almost every day during Dry January it seemed like another noor low-alcohol beverage made its debut . Similar to the RTD boom , manufacturers are taking note of consumer interests and attempting to profit from all the hype .
Although , these new product launches may very well be in manufacturers ’ best interests . Each year , Dry January participants continue to increase . According to data from a CivicScience survey , 27 % of U . S . survey respondents aged 21 + were highly likely to participate in Dry January this year versus 24 % in 2023 .
And this trend isn ’ t just for Dry January . The latest data from IWSR shows that no- and low-alcohol consumption across the world ’ s leading 10 no / low markets ( T10 *), which account for approximately 70 % of global no / low-alcohol volumes , grew by 5 % in volume in 2023 , with the market now worth over $ 13 billion . The no / low-alcohol category is forecast to grow at a volume CAGR of + 6 % between 2023 and 2027 , led by no-alcohol at + 7 % and low-alcohol expanding by + 3 % over the same timescale .
Major beverage alcohol players should no longer dismiss no- and low-alcohol beverages as novelty . While the majority of U . S . adults still drink alcohol , there ’ s no denying the growing popularity of this category .
While perusing the booths at Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America ’ s Access LIVE event which took place in Las Vegas in January , I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of no- and low-alcohol beverage options , alongside a plethora of cannabis-infused beverages , which is another increasingly popular trend . As the industry develops , wholesalers may very well end up needing to create shelf space for these drinks .
Another prominent trend that seems to be growing is a desire for beverage enhancements . Whether that be through fun garnishes on a cocktail , aromatic or flavored bitters as mix-ins or unique bottle designs , consumers want something else rather than the traditional spirit or cocktail .
Fermented mixers are especially gaining traction in the beverage market , with products such as kombucha , ginger beer and hard cider providing a unique twist .
Although the alcohol beverage industry has met a fair few challenges over the past few years , it has shown resilience and responsiveness . This can mostly be due to its ability to adapt to new consumer preferences , but also because of the reality that alcohol is not going anywhere . Even though lower ABV options are gaining momentum , the majority of drinkers prefer beer , cocktails and the right amount of alcohol in their beverages .
All of these trends and more are discussed in our Spring issue of Beverage Wholesaler . Flip through for more details on tequila , RTDs and gin , along with some expert warehousing tips and tricks .
Trade Managing Editor Krystina Skibo Tel : 763-383-4419 email : kskibo @ epgacceleration . com
Editor , Off-Premise Kyle Swartz Tel : 763-383-4447 email : kswartz @ epgacceleration . com
Contributing Editors Melissa Dowling
National Account Director Debbie Rittenberg Tel : 763-383-4455 email : drittenberg @ epgacceleration . com
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Associate Managing Art Director Nicole Siewert
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Beverage Group Vice President Jeremy Nedelka Sr VP / Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Corporate Operations Director Bernadette Wohlman CEO Marion Minor
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Beverage Wholesaler is published by EPG Brand Acceleration Editorial and executive offices at 7760 France Ave S Suite 810 Bloomington , MN 55435 Telephone : 763-383-4400
Krystina Skibo Trade Managing Editor
4 Beverage Wholesaler • Spring 2024 www . beveragewholesaler . com