Greg Christenson

Check out another column in the Cheese Market News by our very own advisor Bob Wolter. 🧀📰 In this piece, he dives into the methods used to determine the value of a business, such as: ✔️ Asset-based valuation ✔️ Business valuations based on multiples of earnings ✔️ The discounted cash flow method Get a full rundown of these methods, including their strengths and limitations, in his article below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gm5TawmJ #valuation #mergersandacquisitions #businessowners

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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has forecast US spirits sales will continue to decline in the first half of next year. https://lnkd.in/eWRde8Cf

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At 3 Tier Beverages, we use BDI (Brand Development Index) 📊 and CDI (Category Development Index) 🛒 to help beverage brands focus on the markets that matter most. BDI 📈 shows where your brand is strongest compared to your overall performance. CDI 🌎 reveals how well the category is doing in specific markets. Here’s why it matters: High BDI + High CDI 🎉: You’re winning in a strong market—keep the momentum going! Low BDI + High CDI 🔍: A sign of untapped opportunities in high-demand markets. These insights power #smarter strategies, helping you #grow where it counts. Let’s find your next big #win! 🍻 🌱📚 Come Learn and Grow with Us! 🚀🌟

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Has the beer industry seen an improvement in demand over the past several weeks? The President at La Crosse Beverage discusses shelf space allocation, innovation, pricing trends, and the entire #beer landscape: https://bit.ly/3OBpBOr

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Craft Beer - Wemand has slowed: Craft is no longer in the meteoric growth phase of the 90s and 2000s and instead is declining. In volumes, craft beer declined 1% in 2023 compared to the year before Data is yet to be released for 2024, but initial estimates suggest declines will continue. In the association’s mid-year survey, craft saw an estimated decline in production of 2%. And Q3 scan data suggests weaker performance than the first half of the year #beer #beers #brewery #breweries #craft #craftbeer #beerindustry #beermarket

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I'm more convinced than ever that the wine's industry's decline relative to other beverage categories has a root cause: It's own insecurity about its product. In virtually every consumer good category, there is a spectrum that usually follows this trend: Higher quality --> higher price. And in virtually every category I can think of, whether its tequila, wool sweaters or cars, I see discernment and status with the luxury end of the market. But what I don't see is the industry self-immolating by literally insulting the preferences of the mass-produced products within their own category. To justify high prices at the luxury end, the wine industry makes the preferences of the masses seem uncouth, basic, uneducated. It's maddening, especially because of how short-sighted it is. These are the luxury market's future customers, after all! Some people who didn't drink wine just get rich and buy a wine cellar out of the status, but most people who become Explorers and Collectors were once Lifestyle drinkers. They just got older, had more time to learn and have more disposable income (which usually tracks upwards into peak earning years of 45-55). And you know what's one of the deepest, most negative emotions you can have? Shame. True story-- a wine blogger I read distinguished between wine by fine wine or imposter wine. Because the latter is, you know, fake. As if it's a knockoff Gucci handbag, bringing a bad rap to the true representation of product. Rather than just a good but not extraordinarily crafted wine. And when a Collector makes a comment to a Lifestyle Buyer, like, "I can't drink that-- it's not even real wine," that sticks with someone. They might remain a wine drinker because they like wine-- but they have no desire to become an Explorer-- because it's intimidating and can result in more shame. The industry has created this language to create a wedge, but it's backfiring. I wish wine drinkers could find more solidarity in their collective shared preference for wine. I just don't think the industry will let them. If you like wine but not wine culture, give me a shout out in the comments. #wine #wineindustry

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In this talk, Bruce Abbott, President of Liquor Stores USA North Inc., chats with International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show CEO Sid Patel and dives into five key models for producers to collaborate with national and regional chains. He explores the: 1. Traditional model 2. Clearance model 3. Private Label 4. Control Label 5. Exclusive Label providing detailed examples and explanations of each.

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The wine industry does not understand the basics of "Consumer Product Migration." Consumer migration is the movement of customers from one product or segment to another. This is most evident in the sweet wine category. I ran across this example recently, "Blue Nun was an easy-drinking sweet wine classified as Liebfraumilch that achieved remarkable popularity in the 1950s to the 1980s. WHEN THIS STYLE DECLINED IN POPULARITY..." The STYLE of wine, sweet, did NOT decline in popularity; millions upon millions of sweet wine-loving consumers migrated to other wines with less stigma attached, namely White Zinfandel followed by the migration to Moscato. Rather than adapting to changing consumer preferences or fostering loyalty within this sweet-wine segment, the industry allowed it to diminish, failing to recognize that many consumers prefer sweetness and have no desire to conform to traditional notions of taste hierarchy. This also pulled the rug out from under the opportunity to cultivate sweet wine consumers to enjoy the higher quality, more expensive sweet wines that Germany produces. As Shakespeare put it, we continue to be “hoisted by our own petard.” Growing up, I thought this phrase referred to being hung by one’s own rope, but it actually means being "blown up" by one’s own bomb. The analogy is fitting for how the wine industry’s pervasive and flawed assumptions about wine consumers’ preferences, attitudes, and behaviors have led to missed opportunities and misguided strategies. One of the most damaging misconceptions is the belief that all wine consumers will—or should—eventually transition to drinking dry wines. This narrow perspective has shaped industry practices in ways that alienate diverse consumer segments and ignore valuable market opportunities. For decades, the wine industry has undervalued sweeter wines, treating them as "entry-level" and assuming consumers will eventually graduate to so-called "serious" wines like dry reds or whites. And the German producers could have diversified and produced more dry white and red wines as well! By understanding and embracing consumer migration—the evolving yet often non-linear patterns of consumer preferences and behaviors—the wine industry could better cater to diverse tastes and create lasting connections with a broader audience. Ignoring this migration not only limits growth but also perpetuates the misconception that there is a singular "correct" way to enjoy wine. It’s time to discard this outdated thinking and develop a more inclusive approach that respects and celebrates the broad spectrum of wine consumers. 1950s to 1980s BLUE NUN BLUES ...When this style declined in popularity, the brand was repositioned and the wine was changed significantly, but the reputation remains... https://lnkd.in/g8RP7Kyx #RethinkingtheWineIndustry #winebusiness #wine #wineindustry #wineprofession #winemarketing

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Where does the beverage alcohol industry stand in 2024? Good news: Circana reports signs of optimism within the spirits industry 🥃 Our recent blog post highlights key topics in Circana’s 2023 State of the CPG Beverage Alcohol Industry report, which include: 🛒 The Average Alcohol Basket Size by Channel 📲 Where E-Commerce and Ready-To-Drink Stand 👥 What Gen-Z Is Drinking 🌍 What the Landscape Is as We Move through 2024 Read here: https://hubs.li/Q02tWbrN0 #AlcoholIndustryReport #BeverageAlcohol

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Here's what the recent FTC lawsuit against Southern Glazer’s could mean for wine and spirits distributors and consumers: https://hubs.ly/Q0304vGn0 #WineSpirits

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Brandon Thurber, VP of NRS Insights, on RTD Market Growth: In his latest Food and Beverage Magazine feature, Brandon discusses the 35% growth in the RTD cocktail market, backed by NRS data from over 27,000 retailers. RTDs now represent 9% of spirits and 15% of wine sales, highlighting their growing market share. As consumers increasingly prioritize convenience and flavor, RTDs lead to a 60% higher spend per transaction. But with the market evolving rapidly, the critical question is—are you keeping up? 💡Marketers and media teams: curious about how your brands perform in this fast-paced environment? Let’s connect to explore strategies that will position your brand for success. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exGMwvic #RTDCocktails #BevAl #RetailInsights #NRS #FoodandBeverageMagazine

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What's New to TheStreet... 🍺Constellation Brands Cuts Outlook Amid U.S. Wine Market Woes🍺 Constellation Brands has lowered its sales growth expectations for its Enterprise, Beer, and Wine & Spirits divisions as the U.S. wine market faces challenges. A significant shift for the industry. 📉 What do you think this means for the future of the beverage industry? Share below!💬⬇️ 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #constellationbrands #winemarket #salesoutlook #marketchallenges #industrynews #beerindustry #businessupdate #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet

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The wine industry is facing a period of financial uncertainty, but there are strategies that can help vineyards and wineries weather the storm. By utilizing such tactics as adopting data-driven pricing strategies and implementing strategic cost-saving measures, wine businesses can navigate through challenges like inflation, changing consumer preferences, and global disruptions. Read from Kevin A. Krakora, Managing Director, as he explains how tailored financial strategies and operational efficiency can make a difference for wine producers in these uncertain times. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gbmnp7qm Kevin Krakora #WineIndustry #GetzlerHenrich

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Constellation Brands, $STZ, is up 3% in premarket after Fiscal 2025 Q1 Earnings: 📈 Net Sales: $2.66B, up 9% Y/Y driven by a robust 12% growth in beer and 2% in wine & spirits. 🍺 Beer continues to lead, boosting market share. 💼 Operating Income: $820M, soaring 22% from last year. ◼ In-Depth Analysis of Constellation Brands' Q1 Fiscal 2025 Performance Constellation Brands has delivered a robust performance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2025, showcasing a significant increase in net sales which reached $2.66 billion, marking a 9% growth year-over-year. This impressive surge is attributed primarily to the beer segment, which alone saw a 12% increase, spearheading the company's revenue growth. Meanwhile, the wine and spirits division also contributed with a modest 2% rise. A pivotal element of this quarter’s success was the substantial rise in operating income, which escalated by 22% to reach $820 million. This growth underscores Constellation Brands’ strong operational efficiency and strategic marketing maneuvers that continue to pay dividends. Beyond financial metrics, Constellation Brands remains fervently committed to its sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. The company’s ongoing efforts to enhance community engagement and environmental stewardship are integral to its corporate ethos. Furthermore, looking ahead, Constellation Brands is strategically focusing on expanding its premium product portfolio and enhancing its direct-to-consumer sales channels. This approach is aimed not only at sustaining growth but also at fortifying its market position in the competitive beverage alcohol industry. 🔗 Full report: https://lnkd.in/dy9s6zGp

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The plant-based milk sector has a new alternative from Força Foods LLC entering the category — watermelon seed milk. #foodbusiness #corporatestrategy https://ow.ly/WOMt50UanhM

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