Shanken’s Impact Newsletter, the leading source for exclusive data on the alcoholic beverage industry in the United States and internationally. Every issue features up-to-the-minute data and analysis on trends in the worldwide drinks market.
WHILE MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE DRINKS BUSINESS OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, the annual gathering of industry titans at the Impact Marketing Seminar hasn’t skipped a beat, taking place for the 45th straight year. The industry’s top players convened at The Pierre in New York City on September 27 for a packed program at the sold out event, hosted by M. Shanken Communications chairman Marvin R. Shanken. This latest edition of the Seminar featured presentations from top executives across wine, spirits, distribution, retail, fine dining, and the emerging cannabis industry. Opening the festivities, Shanken paid tribute to the 416 speakers who’ve addressed the Seminar over its 45 years, observing that in many ways they represent the history of the industry itself. In particular, he highlighted the many…
IN MARCH 2020, JUST BEFORE THE COVID PANDEMIC descended in full force, Impact held its 44th Annual Marketing Seminar at the Pierre Hotel in New York, marking one of the last drinks industry events to take place before lockdown. So it was fitting that the 45th Annual Impact Marketing Seminar—held successfully in late September—was one of the first gatherings to reconvene now that conditions have improved. While the world remains far from pre-pandemic normality, the on-premise is clearly on the rebound, even as the off-premise continues to see elevated business compared with 2019. While pandemic-related supply chain issues, a subdued travel retail environment and other challenges persist, it’s hard not to see the drinks industry’s glass as half full as we approach year-end. After all, as Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes reminded…
MOËT HENNESSY POSTED REVENUES of €4.25 billion ($4.9b) for the nine months through September, marking the first three quarters of its fiscal year. That tally marks a 30% increase compared with the same period in 2020, and a 10% increase over 2019. Champagne volumes increased 7% compared to the first nine months of 2019, driven by the recovery of restaurants and tourism over the summer in the U.S. and Europe, while Hennessy Cognac’s volumes rose 4% compared with 2019. While the Hennessy brand remains in high demand in the U.S. and China, supply constraints continue to hold down its growth numbers. Hennessy is one of only three spirits brands worth more than $1 billion at retail in the U.S., the others being Tito’s and Crown Royal.…
JAJA TEQUILA HAS ENTERED A NEW partnership with Proximo Spirits, moving production to Proximo-affiliated facilities in Jalisco as well as giving the Tequila giant global distribution rights. The move will bring Jaja into Proximo’s distribution network in parts of the U.S. as well as giving the brand a new platform to reach international audiences. Jaja will continue to work with Southern Glazer’s in the U.S., according to co-owner Maurice Tebele. By partnering with Proximo, Jaja has aligned itself with the world’s largest Tequila marketer. In the U.S., Proximo’s Tequila portfolio was up 9.5% year-to-date through August in control states. Jaja includes Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo expressions and retails in the super-premium tier.…
EVEN AS THE INDUSTRY BATTLES tough comparisons against last year’s pandemic-driven surge, the U.S. spirits market continues to rise, led by the market’s biggest brands, as well as the super-premium sector. Among the 20 largest-selling brands in control states, Jameson Irish whiskey and Patrón Silver Tequila (both at +21%) were the fastest-growing brands year-to-date through August. E.&J. Gallo was the fastest-growing spirits marketer among the 15 largest in NABCA markets with a 16% gain for the first eight months of this year, largely due to the continued popularity of High Noon Sun Sips. Sazerac Co. leads all spirits marketers in control states with over 17.5% volume share for the first two-thirds of 2021, followed by Diageo at nearly 15% share and Beam Suntory at just under 10%. Diageo is still far…
CANADA’S CANOPY GROWTH CORP HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE COLORADO based edibles maker Wana Brands for $297.5 million, contingent upon federal legalization of cannabis in the U.S. Wana claims to be the U.S. market leader in the edibles category, and is known for its cannabis gummies, which sell in a variety of flavors and strengths, including options like Appletini Hybrid, Colorado Sunrise Sativa, and Island Punch Indica, with a 10-pack of gummies each with 10mg THC retailing at around $17. Wana produces and sells edibles itself in Colorado, and has license agreements across a dozen states, plus Canada, with plans to be present in 20 states by the end of next year. “Acquiring the No. 1 cannabis edibles brand in North America will serve to strengthen our market position in both Canada…
