EDITOR ' S NOTE

Consumer preferences are constantly changing , but the beverage alcohol industry always seems to go with the flow . Drinkers prefer non-alcoholic beverages ? Suppliers start coming out with no-alc and low-alc options . Shoppers want to see sustainability efforts from their favorite brands ? Companies all over the supply chain begin adding eco-friendly attributes to their business models .

I ’ m still fairly new to the beverage alcohol industry , but I ’ ve learned quite a bit in the four months I ’ ve been here . Just between speaking to different industry professionals and conducting my own research , I ’ ve seen the hard work that goes into keeping an alcohol brand relevant — let alone successful .

But so much of the success has to do with simply listening to consumer demand . Throughout the years , especially during Covid , shopper preferences have changed drastically to where even the drinks that were popular two years ago are no longer relevant . And it continues to amaze me how quick some beverage alcohol brands are to latch onto these new trends .

Non-alcoholic beverages are still one of the biggest trends I see today , and it feels like every other week I see a new non-alc or low-alc beverage launch . But hey , credit needs to be given where credit is due . Brands are listening and giving their customers what they want .

Sustainability is another trend that I ’ ve seen at the forefront of many companies ’ business models . The more consumers worry about our impact on the planet , the more that suppliers and wholesalers come out with innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint .

I recently attended the 2023 NABCA conference in West Virginia and sat in on the sustainability session . Steve Gross , VP , State Relations , Wine Institute went into great detail on the sustainable programs the company has for winemaking . Water and energy efficiency , soil health , pest and waste management , and wildlife habitat are all areas where not only wineries , but also general beverage alcohol suppliers , can be more sustainable .

It ’ s clearly a hot topic right now , and consumers are not the only ones concerned with the health of our planet .

The holidays are a great time to keep track of these trends as well as discover new ones . We ’ ve got a lot of great insights in our Winter 2023 issue that have to do with sustainability , where the Brandy / Cognac industry is headed , and even Columbia Distributing shares some of their secrets for success .

I wish you and your families a very happy holiday season , and I ’ ll be back in 2024 with even more industry news .

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 , Marnie Old , Tom Shay

National Account Director Debbie Rittenberg Tel : 763-383-4455 email : drittenberg @ epgacceleration . com

Marketing and Engagement Sales Manager Jamie Boldt Tel : 763-383-4456 email : jboldt @ epgacceleration . com

Associate Managing Art Director Nicole Siewert

Senior Product Manager , Data & Insights Marina Velez Tel : 763-383-4453 email : mvelez @ epgacceleration . com

List Rental Kris Grauer email : kgrauer @ npsmediagroup . com Tel : 203-822-7933

Reprints For more information on e-prints or reprints from StateWays magazine , visit https :// https :// epgacceleration . com / engagement / and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration .

Beverage Group Vice President Jeremy Nedelka Sr VP / Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Corporate Operations Director Bernadette Wohlman CEO Marion Minor

BRAND ACCELERATION

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 • Winter 2023 www . beveragewholesaler . com