Cheers Spring 2023 | Page 10

DATA DRIVEN

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 February 2023 , whiskey is still the big story both on- and off-premise .

It ’ s the category that both segments say continues to generate the most buzz . Retailers would make more room on the shelves to add whiskeys if they could , while bars and restaurants would add more tequilas to their menus if they had the space .

As with previous surveys , spirits sales outpaced wine and beer for both the on- and off-premise respondents , though the restaurants reported strong sales of beer . Regional beer sales were strong on-premise , while local craft brews did well both on- and off-premise .

Retailers rated their satisfaction higher than the restaurants , based on current conditions as well as based on a one- to two-year outlook . The economy and Covid continued to hurt demand on-premise , while the holidays and beverage trends helped drive demand off-premise .

In a reversal of the previous survey , the plurality of bar / restaurant respondents expect that they will likely exceed their sales plan for 2023 , while the majority of retail participants expect they will meet their sale plans .

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 %

Rate the impact of these factors on bar / restaurant traffic during the previous quarter

60 % 47.62 %

47.62 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

100 % 90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0 %

90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 %

0 %

100 % 90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 %

0 %

71.43 %

On-Premise

47.62 % 38.10 %

33.33 %

28.57 % 19.05 % 19.05 %

19.05 % 9.52 % 9.52 % 9.52 %

4.76 % 4.76 % 4.76 % 4.76 % 9.52 %

Off-Premise

Down Flat Up Don ' t Stock 71.43 %

33.33 %

Rate your spirit sales by category for the previous quarter

47.62 % 42.86 % 42.86 %

9.52 %

9.52 %

14.29 %

Vodka Whiskey Rum Gin Tequila Cordials Brandy / Cognac

55.17 %

89.66 %

48.28 %

65.52 %

Down Flat Up Don ' t Stock 75.86 %

44.83 %

51.72 %

27.59 % 27.59 %

24.14 % 20.69 %

24.14 % 24.14 % 20.69 %

17.24 % 17.24 %

10.34 % 6.90 %

6.90 % 3.45 %

3.45 % 3.45 %

3.45 % 3.45 %

3.45 % 3.45 % Vodka Whiskey Rum Gin Tequila Cordials Brandy / Cognac

57.14 %

33.33 %

9.52 %

44.83 % 37.93 %

17.24 %

19.05 %

42.86 %

3.45 %

38.10 %

86.21 %

10.34 %

51.72 %

14.29 %

41.38 %

47.62 % 52.38 %

9.52 %

42.86 % 42.86 %

58.62 %

37.93 %

4.76 %

34.48 %

6.90 %

3.45 % 3.45 %

62.07 %

10.34 %

19.05 % 4.76 %

Covid-19 Pandemic

Hurt Demand No Impact Helped Demand

48.28 % 41.38 %

Covid-19 Pandemic

By Melissa Dowling

10 • Spring 2023 www . cheersonline . com