Melissa Tavss

Our very own Brian Rosen shares his perspective in Wine Enthusiast, offering insights on shifting wine consumption trends as fewer Gen Z consumers reach for a glass. 🍷 As Brian notes, "I think it’s important to acknowledge shifts are always happening in the wine marketplace. I believe the current market adjustments are temporary and will eventually stabilize at a sustainable level. While the headlines may seem alarming, this is part of the natural evolution of the industry, and the wine sector has proven resilient through many cycles of change, so I’m not too concerned.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRjMzJfh

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The catering and food-at-work movement represents a major opportunity for restaurants looking to diversify revenue streams and reach new customers. Erle Dardick, host of "The Catering Cage" podcast, sees catering as a critical business-to-business channel that many restaurants are still struggling to fully capitalize on. While most restaurants now offer some form of catering, truly scaling and optimizing this channel requires significant investment in technology, training, and dedicated sales teams. https://lnkd.in/g6iZ5Jki

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Annual report on restaurants and consumers by Alix Parnters offers some amazing insights. Start with summary in NRN or read the full report, totally worth taking the extra time to get the details, click here. https://lnkd.in/g57uT-kd Despite some signs of stability and continuing optimism, many operators know painfully well that things aren’t necessarily rosy right now, and second quarter earnings reflected as much. The consulting firm outlines four strategies to manage changing consumer behaviors that have impacted sales and traffic: Evolving menu offerings Enhancing the consumer experience Investing in employees Implementing balanced pricing https://lnkd.in/gzJ7nhJk #restaurants #consumerspending #trends #offpremises #theopga

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In recent years the beverage industry has witnessed a remarkable shift driven by the preferences of younger consumers. Two emerging trends, non-alcoholic spirits, and boba, have captured the attention of younger folks and are experiencing significant growth as a result. According to the article, one-third of consumers ages 18 to 24 abstain from alcohol altogether. This shift in drinking habits has paved the way for the emergence of non-alcoholic drinking options, providing consumers with sophisticated and flavorful alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. #DrinkingTrends #YoungConsumers #Boba #NonAlcoholicSpirits

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Non-alcoholic spirits and boba emerge as major beverage trends Younger consumers are driving significant growth in the non-alcoholic and boba beverage categories. The National Restaurant Association Show corroborated a trend we’ve been seeing for the past year or two now – beverage innovations are a big deal, and perhaps more than they’ve ever been. Indeed, there were 133 exhibitors filed under the “beverage” product category at this year’s show, versus 113 in 2023. Consumers have no doubt proven they want more beverage options. Consider Tropical Smoothie Café and Smoothie King, which both experienced double-digit sales growth in 2023, while startups HTeaO and Swig surged into Technomic’s Top 500 for the first time. Even McDonald’s is putting more skin in the game, launching its spinoff CosMc’s concept, which primarily sells beverages like iced lattes, slushes, frappes, teas, and more. And, as we’ve extensively covered already, a bevy of coffee players are coming in hot; Scooter’s Coffee opened 195 new units in 2023, Dutch Bros opened about 160, and 7 Brew opened about 140 for a whopping 350% increase over 2022. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnJ_BYwb #beverage #trends #consumertrends #foodservice #foodandbeveragindustry

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A great and very timely piece from Pete Wells at The New York Times (https://lnkd.in/egS8_h6j) about the dangers of the #foodserviceindustry becoming increasingly faceless and lacking the emotional connections consumers increasingly need now. Mike Kostyo and I have been talking about this for the past year, and I've been advocating for more emotionally-based #innovation for longer than that. As an industry, we've focused on #technology and trends as the end-all-be-all of solutions but these things have helped to commoditize the industry. Trends aren't ownable, they aren't defensible and they aren't emotionally engaging for consumers. And as every operator jumps on a "hot" trend, it becomes exponentially less interesting and less impactful. #Foodservice is losing traffic to #retail. Based on recent stats, #restaurants are now losing revenue despite significant price increases over the past month. We talk about consumer price sensitivity, but I argue this isn't solely a price issue. #Consumers are spending more money to go to fine dining restaurants and to stay at luxury resorts. Consumers are pay money for big ticket items and traveling to see Taylor Swift. Consumers will spend money if there's a good value, and our industry is suffering increasingly from a value deficit...and that deficit is being driven by a lack of #hospitality. Yes, we've got significant labor issues but we can't blame this entire issue on recent labor shortages. The industry has been heading down this path for a while, but it's trip has accelerated. If our industry is going to thrive and remain relevant, hospitality - not trends, not technology, not speed-of-service, not cheap prices - is the answer. #menumattersllc #trends2024 #consumerbehavior #consumerinsights #foodandbeverageindustry

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Thoughts on Building a Wine Collection - Part Three by John Szabo, MS In part two of this series, John offered suggestions on how to formulate a buying strategy. Now, let's move on to the final part of his series: wine cellar management. Read the full article at RWC Journal - https://bit.ly/3KIdDAE

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How can wine brands reach today’s younger, 21+ consumers? In our latest blog post we share our top four wine trend predictions for 2025. #publicrelations #wine #industry #trends #genz

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Beverage contracts and the related negotiations are complicated. Onerous contract language has cost restaurant operators millions of dollars that they didn’t have to spend (or millions they left on the negotiating table). Here is a list of eight issues that restaurant operators should be aware of when negotiating a beverage contract!

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Josh Cellars is arguably the most successful wine brand of this generation, and Deutsch did much of that work while the overall industry was struggling. How did they do it? In this episode, we discuss their unique approach to brand building, distribution, the positioning of the wine category, and the meticulous measurements they use to maximize the return on their marketing spending. #RaboResearch

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The fastest-growing emerging restaurant chains are showing growth in non-obvious categories. We are often working with multi-national multi-brand groups helping with portfolio optimization, answering questions like: Where is growth going to come from? What brands in our portfolio should we grow and which ones should we divest? Should we invest in a new concept or franchise brands in any new growth concepts? Which are those? Companies across the globe are working on portfolio rationalization to improve their enterprise value in the mid- and long-term. #restaurants #emergingbrands #growth https://lnkd.in/euGyNFvS

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Casual Dining Staple TGI Fridays Turns to Bankruptcy Jordan Valinsky of CNN reports that TGI Fridays Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial strain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic... Read More: https://lnkd.in/gTT5TimU #JordanValinsky #TGIFridays #BusinessNews #GlobalCEOMagazine #businessmagazine #Business #News

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The $25-$40 price tier of Tequila has emerged as the category’s growth engine, with the top seven brands in the segment combining for 11% growth in control states year-to-date. As the largest spirits and wine wholesaler in the U.S., Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has a unique window into national consumption trends, which show a strong connection to Tequilas at $25-$40 among millennials, males, and multicultural consumers. SND executive editor Daniel Marsteller caught up with Zach Poelma, SVP of Strategy & Insights Center of Excellence at Southern Glazer’s, for more detail on what’s driving the fast-growing segment. #tequila #spiritsindustry https://lnkd.in/eHkWz6HU

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A huge thank you to Wine Industry Network for featuring my article on the rising demand for premium and artisanal wines. 🌟 In the article, I delve into the trends and consumer preferences driving this dynamic segment of the wine industry. Check it out to learn more about the trends shaping our industry! #WineIndustry #PremiumWines #ArtisanalWines #WineTrends #winenews #winebusiness

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🍷 Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network (BTN), has transformed the organization into a pivotal platform linking beverage producers, distributors, and retailers globally. Under his stewardship, BTN offers a suite of services including trade shows, competitions, and educational resources, cementing its influence in the beverage industry. 🗽 One of Sid's significant contributions is the creation of the Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA), designed to authentically reflect sommeliers' preferences. The awards prioritize qualities like quality, value, and overall appeal, crucial for enhancing restaurant wine lists and consumer experiences. Since its inception in 2019 with 700 entries, the SCA has grown impressively, attracting 1600 entries from over 40 countries by 2024, assessed by a panel including 14 Master Sommeliers. Judges evaluate wines based on criteria such as food #pairability, #typicity, and #packaging, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards of the on-premise market. 💹 In a conversation with interviewer Charlie Leary (李嘉立) PhD, Sid discussed the strategic importance of the Sommeliers Choice Awards in addressing industry challenges, such as evolving consumer trends, competition from spirits, and geopolitical factors affecting global trade. 🥂 Sid Patel's vision extends beyond awards; it bridges the gap between #wine producers and #onpremise markets, amplifying the role of sommeliers in shaping industry standards and consumer preferences. His leadership not only enhances industry connections but also fosters innovation and excellence, ensuring BTN remains at the forefront of industry evolution. Through initiatives like SCA, Sid continues to empower industry professionals with valuable insights and opportunities for growth in the dynamic beverage landscape.✨ For more insights from Sid Patel and the impact of the Sommeliers Choice Awards, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gHwEy3ih . #wine #wineindustry #sommeliers #sca #america #wineexpert #winecompetition #chicago #winetrends #sommelierschoiceawards Ankita O. Beverage Trade Network Malvika Patel Sommelier Business Serena Harkey Phoenix Dai Paul Carayas Tiffany Tobey

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The spirits industry has shifted in recent years, and consumers are interacting differently with bars and restaurants, embracing at-home bartending, prioritizing health, and adjusting spending habits. Park Street Insider host Emmett Strack sat down with three prominent figures in the New York City on-premise scene at Bar Convent Brooklyn. Together, they discussed strategies for fostering meaningful relationships between brands and bars in this evolving landscape. Featured Guests: ➝ GN Chan, Co-Founder, Double Chicken Please ➝ Sebastien Derbomez, Manager of Brand Advocacy, William Grant & Sons ➝ Jason Hedges, Director of Beverage, Laurent Tourondel & Founder, BAR IQ Key Topics: ➝ The changing dynamics of on-premise spirits consumption ➝ Innovative approaches to brand-bar relationships ➝ Strategies for consumer education and product sampling This episode offers insights into the future of on-premise engagement. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eRYegZuF #ParkStreetInsider #SpiritsIndustry #BrandStrategy #BarScene #OnPremiseMarketing #IndustryInsights

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