Justin Dean’s Post

Upsell Beverage Company update: Yeyo Tequila caps off a stellar 2023 with a triumphant fourth quarter. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several key factors: Soaring Brand Recognition: Yeyo Tequila's strategic marketing initiatives and new distribution partnerships have propelled the brand into the limelight, captivating consumers and retailers alike. Yeyo has over 58K followers on Instagram and this had led to consistent engagement with consumers, retailers and beverage wholesalers. Please give us a follow on IG @yeyotequila for the latest updates. Market Expansion: Yeyo Tequila's footprint has expanded domestically and internationally, granting access to a broader consumer base. New Yeyo Tequila markets for 2024 include New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Arkansas, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Washington, Tennessee. Premium Appeal: Yeyo Tequila's premium positioning resonates with a growing appreciation for high-quality spirits, propelling both sales and profitability. Consumers are gravitating towards additive free tequilas and Yeyo is reaping the benefits of that movement. Thanks to all of our supporters and we look forward to our new partnerships in 2024. Happy New Year! ~ Upsell Beverage Company @upsellbeverage IG

🍻🍷🥃 If you drink, what's your go-to: Beer, wine, or liquor? The lines of preference are blurring in the U.S., revealing a trend toward a more equalized taste in alcoholic beverages. The chart below paints a clear picture: Americans are embracing variety in their drinks of choice. But there's one area where variety is still lagging behind — the direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol market. Here's a snapshot of the current landscape: → DTC wine sales? Permitted in 45 states, though each comes with its corn maze of rules. → DTC for the full trifecta of beer, wine, and liquor? That's a green light in just 7 states. → And for just beer and wine? Only 8 states are on board. Navigating the tangle of regulations is no small feat, but at DRINKS it's our jam. We're here to streamline your route to DTC sales, turning complexity into opportunity. 📈 Interested in expanding your horizons in the DTC space or have burning questions? Drop me a message. Let's explore how you can tap into America's growing and diversifying alcohol preference whether you’re an alcohol producer or an unlicensed retailer looking to add alcohol as a category to your online store (4th Tier). Either way, people are buying a ton of it online, so if you dig higher GMV give us a shout! #DTC #AlcoholEcommerce #RegTech #ecommerce #Innovation #TechLeadership

Total Wine & More has become the largest wine retailer in the US, and it's no surprise why. They have a strong focus on the customer experience, with a great app that includes a loyalty program. But what really sets them apart is their ability to tailor discounts and offers specific to each customer's buying habits. Check out this Forbes article to learn more about how Total Wine & More is shaking up the wine industry. #TotalWineAndMore #WineRetailer #CustomerExperience

Getting a US state distributor or importer for your wine, beer or spirits can be a difficult process. The market is experiencing more and more consolidation among distributors and thus there are fewer small and medium-sized distributors to partner with today. Join me for an insightful webinar on the intricacies of securing a US state distributor for your wine, beer, or spirits. In this webinar, we will explore the keys to creating a winning pitch that sets your brand apart from the competition. What exactly are distributors seeking, and how can you collaborate with them to establish a mutually beneficial partnership? RSVP for the webinar here.

Getting a US state distributor or importer for your wine, beer or spirits can be a difficult process. The market is experiencing more and more consolidation among distributors and thus there are fewer small and medium-sized distributors to partner with today. Join Sid Patel for an insightful webinar on the intricacies of securing a US state distributor for your wine, beer, or spirits. In this webinar, we will explore the keys to creating a winning pitch that sets your brand apart from the competition. What exactly are distributors seeking, and how can you collaborate with them to establish a mutually beneficial partnership? RSVP for the webinar here. https://lnkd.in/dqz47GcN

An interesting article about DTC Wines Shipping trends and how DTC Shipments performed in 2023. Couple of my thoughts 1) I would love to see a report on shipping costs and how much they have increased and if their is a correlation with the decreased volume. 2) I have always felt Washington produces some great wines at reasonable prices and looks like the general public is catching on. Will be interesting to see what happens with the Washington wine industry. Probably increased bottle prices as well as wider national distribution with those brands as Distributors catch up. 3) Online retailers, have they had any affect on volume of DTC Shipments. Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/g3U2nZHD

Today in Shanken News Daily they had some great info. They had a review of the "Impact's Hot Brands" where they discussed the RTD category. The listed 11 different brands. Then in other press releases they reviewed 4 more RTD or ready to drink cocktail launches. WOW! The category is here to stay. I do see a little clutter or a "bottleneck" forming" which will see a pairing down, but ultimately it's become a large part of the beverage business. Time to adapt. Beverage Solutions || Big Dog New York LLC Exclusive: Whiskies, Tequilas, RTDs Abound Among Impact's “Hot Brands” Shanken's Impact Newsletter recently unveiled its annual “Hot Brands” awards, recognizing the fastest-growing brands across the wine, spirits, and RTD categories. While the drinks market has faced headwinds lately, the success of these standout labels shows that there remain significant growth opportunities across various categories. The Hot Brands spirits list totals 14 labels this year, powered largely by the whisk(e)y and Tequila segments, which counted six and five members on the honor roll respectively. Among whiskies, four of the honorees are from the American whiskey segment, underscoring Bourbon's ongoing popularity, along with winners from Canada and Scotland. The vodka and liqueur categories are also represented on the spirits roster. Spirits Hot Brands above 1 million cases include: Tito's, Don Julio, Woodford Reserve, Espolòn, Lunazul, and Teremana.

No/low alc is continuing to make a dent. The wine industry faces tough times, and Pernod Ricard is responding by selling most of its wine brands. With sales down 7% in Q1, the company is shifting focus to spirits and champagne. → Wine now makes up just 4% of Pernod Ricard’s $13B revenue. They’re doubling down on whiskey and ready-to-drink cocktails, even partnering with Coca-Cola on a new Sprite cocktail. (really? I mean, Sprite?) → Wine sales have been falling for years, hitting a 27 year low last year, with production at its lowest for over 60 years. → The entire alcohol industry is in flux, with changing consumer preferences and rising competition from nonalcoholic drinks and cannabis. It’s a challenging time in alcoholic beverages! → Wine used to be a major social anchor point. It now shares those occasions with many other products, many of them alcohol-free. → Predictions? We will see more partnerships between brands and a greater emphasis on premium spirits. The landscape is shifting, and adaptability will be key.

"It’s hard to beat great prices and expansive selection, and Total Wine has this at scale," says Mark Ryski, Author, CEO & Founder of HeadCount Corporation. "Achieving scale is a key element of their success strategy as it will ensure that they have buying power and access to product that others can’t get. I can’t see any immediate barriers that would slow Total Wine’s continued rise other than a potential slow down in overall alcohol consumption due to health concerns since the CDC and WHO came out with strong statements declaring that no level of alcohol consumption is safe." Check out more insights from one of the retail industry’s leading experts - https://buff.ly/3qRfPx2. More great comments on this topic by RetailWire's BrainTrust experts including: Neil Saunders, Brian Numainville, Kai Clarke -L.I.O.N., Gene Detroyer, Robert Amster, Ryan Grogman, Peter Charness, David Weinand, Christopher P. Ramey, Mark Self, Gary Sankary, Dick Seesel, Cathy Hotka, Lisa Goller, MBA, and • Shep Hyken.