Sid Patel’s Post

How to pitch your brands to USA Spirits Buyers? I’m excited to invite you to join us as a panelist for "How to Pitch Your Brands Effectively to USA Spirits Buyers" on June 18th, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PST. I will be moderating the call with some of the USA spirits buyers and here are the questions I have for from brand owners that I will be covering by asking the panel. We'll be discussing the following questions during the call: 1. What is the best way to get in front of a retail buyer if you don't have a distributor yet? 2. If an email goes unanswered from the buyer, what's the next best way to try to set up an appointment without being too pushy? 3. How can a small brand support itself in the early stages when it doesn't have a big budget? What are some ways to be a good retail buyer partner? 4. What spirits category do you want to see more of in the next 12 months? 5. How big of a role does social media marketing play when making a buying decision? 6. What are the most common KPIs looked at by buyers? 7. What are the current gaps in a product that you are looking to fill? 8. What are the best states to start selling your brand? 9. Our product is in a small subsegment (amaro is a subsegment of liqueur, which is a subsegment of spirits). Our power is our taste. How do you suggest we sell our product effectively when we are in a situation that does not allow a tasting opportunity? 10. How should you pitch if you are a startup and don’t have significant sales? 11. Do buyers like exclusive brands in their portfolio? 12. What marketing activities should you do to build the brand in the market and create brand awareness? 13. What are the best months of the year to start a conversation with a distributor? 14. When bringing in a new brand, what are your top three checklist items for making your decision (besides pricing)? 15. How do you support your brand in another market without spending thousands of dollars? 16. With the current economy, where people are not buying premium brands as easily, what strategy would you recommend? Lowering prices is not strategic in terms of positioning the product. 17. Is gin still a growing market, or has it been capped out? 18. With all the international success Australian distilleries have had in recent years, why hasn't that translated to great demand from abroad, and how would you overcome this to enter the US? Following are the webinar details: * Date: June 18th, 2024 * Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PST * Topic: How to Pitch Your Brands Effectively to USA Spirits Buyers RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dzS-kw9s

Gain insight into the judging standards of the USA Spirits Ratings and learn how to stand out in the highly competitive US spirits market. Learn from professionals in the field how quality, value, and packaging can improve your brand. Showcase your spirits to leading US trade buyers by entering now via www.USASpiritsRatings.com . To put yourself in the best possible position for success in the cutthroat US market, submit your entries by June 20, 2024, the final deadline. Become a winner of the USA Spirits Ratings and take your brand to new heights. 🚀 Read The Full Blog To Get All The Insider Details on USA Ratings' Judging Criteria 👉 : https://lnkd.in/gDtuxY3z #usaspiritsratings #spiritscompetition #brandsuccess #quality #value #packaging #spiritsindustry #beveragetradenetwork BHAKTA Spirits Sazerac Company USA Ratings Sid Patel Ankita O. Malvika Patel

📉 Headwinds ahead for U.S. spirits according to SipSource™ The latest Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s SipSource ™ insights reveal challenges in the American spirits industry, with growth slowing and shifts in consumer demand impacting key categories. From premiumization pressures to evolving market trends, the next year will require resilience and adaptation across the sector. What do you think is the biggest challenge for the industry in the coming year? 🤔🍸 Dive deeper into the full story: https://lnkd.in/ghZYawhB #SpiritsIndustry #MarketTrends #BusinessInsights

𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒍 - 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕'𝒔! That’s right… it’s an oxymoron. Pieroth have very kindly launched a Black Friday deal on two of our most exceptional wines. The famous Blue Bottle Burg Layer Schlosskepple and one of my favourites the Chevalier De Bayard Rouge. Now don’t get me wrong I’m happy that you might get to try these at crazy knock down prices for the next two days BUT when you come to order some more please don’t expect them to be at the same prices. Yes, I am actively and openly managing your expectations! These are amazing wines and worth every penny of the list price. If you want to know how much they usually cost take a look at the website… www.pieroth.co.uk If you’d like to know how much I’m giving them away for then I’m afraid you’re going to have to message me. I know, I making it hard, but thems the facts. In my life of sales I’ve always preferred rewarding loyalty. I’m not a great believer in “lost leaders”. Discounting creates a air of cheapness and I have never knowingly been called that. So if you’re already a customer, mine or one of our great team of Account Mangers, your interested in an introductory mixed case of things you might like, or you are considering buying gifts for friends, family or customers, drop me message. Are you “doing” Black Friday and if so what are your thoughts on discounts?

Premium Spirits - Premiumisation ‘stalls’ for spirits in US in 2023 Twelve-month spirits sales inch up 0.2% to US$37.7bn. Volumes from full-year 2023 rise 1.2% to 308.8m nine-litre cases Sales in the country last year were flat compared to 2022, while volumes increased by just over 1% overall. Of greater concern to brand owners will be the claim that sales at the super-premium end of the price ladder were down 4.3% as 'value' spirits registered an 8.4% lift in sales by value #alcoholicbeverages #spirits #premiumspirits #drinksindustry #spiritueux #beverageindustry

Nothing the industry hasn't been expecting or forecasting over the last 6-12 months but still important commentary following SipSource's Q3 2024 report. Predicted sales decline through at least the first half of 2025 in the U.S. for spirits as the industry hits "significant headwinds" and we're somehow still talking about the rebalancing to "pre-covid norms". Some bright spots mentioned are that American whiskey, vodka (!), and gin continue to premiumize - and that overall, spirits "appear to be stabalizing in negative territory". Overall, I feel that we'll have a much more accurate read in Q1 when the hopes of Q4 (Holiday Season) are past and we get to see sales data and inventory levels at a distributor and retailer level. Here's hoping it's a festive season for all.

Thanks for the insight CGA 📈 If your looking for a supplier who can help you with more competitive pricing, along with staff training and support, help with sustainable initiatives and offering more reliable and timely deliveries ….. get in touch today 📞 Bartons Group could be for you 😁 Competition for drinks brands heightens as hospitality operators rationalise range: Nearly a quarter (23%) of hospitality leaders have changed the routes-to-market of their drinks ranges and more operators (15%) are seeking to reduce their delivery partners than increase them (4%), putting drinks brands at risk of being de-listed, according to CGA’s latest Business Leaders’ Survey. Cost challenges mean operators are having to review all parts of their cost base, including drinks, seeking greater value from their distributors and brand partners, the report said. Operators are closely reviewing the performance of categories and looking to optimise their range, rationalising poor performing categories and making space for growth categories. The long alcoholic drinks category is seeing the greatest churn, with 11% of leaders already changing their primary supplier. A proportion of leaders are planning to reduce their ranges of draught standard lager (16%) and packaged (10%) or draft (8%) cider, while gin ranges are being cut by even more leaders (22%). More than a third of leaders plan to increase their range of no and low alcohol beer and cider (42%) or spirits (39%), while tequila (18%) is another growth opportunity. Some 72% of operators say drinks suppliers can help them with more competitive pricing, along with staff training and support (32%), help with sustainable initiatives (32%) and offering more reliable and timely deliveries (23%). Rachel Weller, CGA commercial leader GB & Ireland, said: “Operators can’t afford to hold stock that isn’t delivering sales, and they know their range needs to meet the demands of their guests. Add in the intense competition for space, and it’s essential for drinks suppliers to create strong sales stories that show why their brands deserve to be at the bar. To beat rationalisation, the top priority of all is to listen to what venues want and deliver the committed support they need.”

Great article by Joe Easton for Bloomberg backed by Morgan Stanley research, reveals that as economic growth slows, sales of lower-premium spirits are weakening. In contrast, the tequila market is thriving in the super premium segment, with brands like Patrón and Don Julio 1942 leading the way with their extra-aged products. This shift towards premium products helps the market remain resilient, as consumers continue to invest in high-quality, exclusive items. Premium offerings attract less price-sensitive buyers, providing stability during economic downturns. By 2026, this segment is expected to account for 40% of volume and 55% of market value…!

USA Ratings was created to reward brands that win on quality, value, and package. USA Ratings wanted to award a brand that makes great products in price and is relevant to today’s consumer. USA ratings want to align with the ‘market’. The market decides what is good and what is bad and the market buys mainly with these 3 criteria: Quality, Value, and Package. 🍷 One of the main things in the success of USA Spirits Ratings is its judging panel. Now in its 7th year, USA Spirits Ratings which is Organized by Beverage Trade Network aims to bring the best judging panel so far. Judges must be active trade buyers and involved in the buying decisions. Meet our Wine Judges : Paul Baldi Scott Barber Paul Carayas Andrew Cosca Olga Crawford MW Maurice DiMarino Genaro Gallo Escudero Kristina L. Fischer Dave Gerardu David Glancy Tim Hanni MW Michael Mighetto Hoefling Marija J. Jamie Knee~ BSc, CSW, WSET, SWS, AWE, CWAS Cami Lehmann Rachael Lowe Peter Marks, Master of Wine Tim Marson MW Daniel Mason Beki Miller Bob Paulinski, MW Susan R Lin, Master of Wine Kimberly Shannon Kryss Speegle MW Robert Todd Caine Sandra Torres Tim Widnes Buyers who buy for their business are the judges as we believe they are the ones who are close to the end consumers we want to try to be to the end consumer as close as we can. In wine, we also have a Master of Wine on each panel which means each wine is also reviewed by a Master of Wine making it the highest benchmark of judging. By tasting, sipping, and assessing your products the judges are also the ones that will potentially then go on to then pour and serve them in their outlets. I invite all brands that are looking to grow in the USA Market to take advantage of the early bird pricing that ends on February 29. Entry info at: Wine: USAWineRatings.com Spirits: USASpiritsRatings.com Beers: USABeerRatings.com Sid Patel | USA Ratings | Beverage Trade Network