BY MELISSA DOWLING
TEQUILA SALES SLIP ON-PREMISE OUTLOOK OUTSHINES OFF-PREMISE
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 August 2022 , whiskey sales have slowed a bit both on and off-premise , though it ’ s still the dominant category for the bars and restaurants surveyed . And while tequila was the top sales driver for retailers , the agave spirit didn ’ t even make the top 5 for on-premise respondents in terms of categories having an impact on sales .
Domestic beer and white wine showed significant gains in the on-premise , a likely nod to summer weather . Along the same lines , more off-premise respondents checked the “ other ” as impacting their business this quarter . Write-in responses to the question revealed an increase in sales for ready-to-drink ( RTD ) beverages was most affecting business for more than 10 % of retail participants . But both onand off-premise operators cited domestic beer ’ s decline in sales as having the biggest impact on sales .
The on-premise operators remain more satisfied and optimistic based on current conditions than the off-premise respondents . But based on a one- to two-year outlook , business satisfaction levels for both the restaurants and retailers were about the same .
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 . •
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
10 %
0 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
10 %
0 %
45 % 40 % 35 % 30 % 25 % 20 % 15 % 10 % 5 % 0 %
Rate your operation ’ s overall beverage alcohol sales for the previous quarter
14.71 %
23.53 %
58.82 %
ON-PREMISE
|
OFF-PREMISE |
|
2.94 % |
2.94 % |
2.94 % |
OFF-PREMISE
5.56 %
ON-PREMISE
At this time , how would you characterize your outlook for sales in 2022 ?
ON-PREMISE
Source : The Beverage Information Group
20.59 %
41.18 %
Down Flat Up Don ' t Stock
35.29 %
14.71 %
32.35 %
OFF-PREMISE
50.00 %
Cocktails / Spirits Wine Beer
16.67 %
25.00 %
55.56 %
2.78 %
Down Flat Up Don ' t Stock
33.33 %
38.89 %
30.56 %
33.33 %
22.22 % 19.44 %
Spirits Wine Beer
38.24 % 38.24 %
Likely Exceed
Likely Meet
23.53 %
Likely be Below
50 % 45 % 40 % 35 % 30 % 25 % 20 % 15 % 10 % 5 % 0 %
22.22 %
Likely Exceed
44.44 %
Likely Meet
16.67 %
33.33 %
Likely be Below
6 StateWays | www . stateways . com | Fall 2022