News Update – Page 5 – Keep It Overproof!

Why CRMs Fail

Have you dreamt of having a machine that could maintain relationships with all your customers and found new ones for you, too? That’s what a lot of people think a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool will do for them, but the reality is that CRMs fail businesses often and it happens for a myriad of reasons. Without the proper planning and policies in place, a CRM will not only be ineffective, but add confusion and complexity to your business. Here are some pitfalls to avoid. What does a CRM do? A customer relationship management tool is any technology that manages your relationships...

How Business Intelligence Can Help Alcohol Brands

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Every good business person knows that the most important tool for making money is information. While data is abundant and cheap, information – the meaningful interpretation of that data – requires expertise and insight to acquire. Who is buying your product and when? What else do they consume? What demographics are an untapped audience? For big industries, information like this is crucial for growth and survival. The alcohol industry constitutes a big industry. In 2018, U.S. alcohol sales were $253.8 billion with more than 16% of all beverages purchased are alcoholic....

Entering the U.S. Market with a New Alcohol Brand

Posted in Beer, Industry, Spirits, Wine.

While the final numbers are not in, alcohol sales in the U.S. are expected to hit $166.4 billion for 2019. This makes the U.S. a lucrative market, but also a competitive one. There is an endless list of companies looking to secure their share of the market, but without a unique product and excellent promotion efforts, it is all too easy to get lost in the shuffle. Use these tips to develop a strategy that will help your new beverage alcohol brand successfully enter and take hold in a crowded industry. Understand the market landscape One key to successfully introducing a new brand...

How to Get a Distributor to Sell My Product

Posted in Industry.

You have a great product and you are ready to get it on the market and in the hands of consumers — but where do you start? Many manufacturers turn to distributors to help them connect with retailers, market and ship their products. Use this guide to better understand the manufacturer/distributor relationship, set the right price for your product and sell it to distributors. Why use a distributor Manufacturers can either sell their products directly to retailers and consumers or partner with a distributor. Direct sales come with a long list of challenges. You have to be able to store...

The Modelo Especial Show

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: If I had to peg one theme of the Constellation Beer Division Gold Network distributor meeting this week, (at which your editor lurked in the back, with Corona sunglasses and a Modelo visor), it would be: Distributors, quit investing behind losing low margin brands. “Change is hard. It’s human nature I guess, to … Continue reading “The Modelo Especial Show” You are unauthorized to view this page. Read the full article

db Eats: Wilder

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

db’s resident hedonist, Lucy Shaw, heads to exciting newcomer Wilder in Shoreditch for pig’s head on toast, pollock with trotter relish and a beguiling young Burgundy. The concept: While every modern British restaurant worth its Maldon salt claims to adhere to a local ethos, Wilder practices what it preaches. Opening last October within the bowels of Boundary – a former Victorian warehouse in Shoreditch owned by Sir Terence Conran boasting an all-day café and rooftop restaurant – Wilder is the dream of head chef Richard McLellan, and is named after his successful...

Portman Group under fire after upholding complaints against beers

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

UK drinks regulator the Portman Group has upheld complaints against three breweries, leading to criticism from the industry that it has caused “significant damage” to breweries with “good ethics”. The Portman Group recently issued rulings on products made by Bristol’s Lost and Grounded, Warwickshire’s Purity Brewing and United Dutch Breweries. However, its rulings have faced criticism from the likes of beer group Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). James Calder, chief executive of SIBA, stressed the importance of self-regulation, but said...

A-B Shuffles Its Marketing Leadership Team

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: Some familiar names in A-B’s marketing department, like Azania Andrews and Ricardo Marques, are moving on up within the company. Azania, who has led Michelob Ultra for the past three years —taking the brand from number six by dollar sales to the number two spot over that span —is getting promoted to VP … Continue reading “A-B Shuffles Its Marketing Leadership Team” You are unauthorized to view this page. Read the full article

Vinitaly postponed to June

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

The organisers of the leading Italian wine show, Vinitaly, have announced the 2020 edition will be postponed until June. Originally scheduled for 19-22 April, organisers Veronafiere announced today (3 March) that it was postponing the show as well the various shows revolving around Vinitaly such as the International Wine Academy and Vinitaly and the City, until June. The revised dates for the show are 14-17 June. Giovanni Mantovani, director of Veronafiere, said: “In light of the rapidly changing international situation that is creating difficulties for all trade fairs across the...

How coronavirus is disrupting the global drinks industry

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

As tastings and trade shows worldwide have been scrapped or pushed back to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we’re keeping tabs on the latest news from the drinks industry. On Tuesday, London’s wine trade had its first casualty. The RAW Wine Show, which was due to take place this weekend, has been postponed. Founder Isabelle Legeron MW said: “With so many producers flying in from all over the world this seems like the right decision for such a large gathering of people and such an international event.” At the same time, the bi-annual Grands Jours de Bourgogne tasting,...