We had a question and answer session with Dan Newcomb of Liquor License Advisor about the year that’s past and what’s to come for the liquor license industry in 2023.

What was the most common question you got from liquor store owners in 2022? What about restaurant owners?

Over the course of 2022, the most common question that has been a theme amongst liquor store owners is how to maximize the sale price of their store, having sales trending downward since the pandemic. Potential buyers have been requesting 2022 sales because they feel like they reflect earnings before COVID. Since the pandemic, owners have been trying to rejuvenate their business model to stay competitive, and now, with the challenging economy, owners are once again feeling the sense of unsettlement that they had hoped was over. Our team has the knowledge and understanding of the industry, especially during these times, to ensure our clients receive the maximum return on their investment. From start to finish, we help our clients with financial positioning, identifying key team members (attorneys, accountants, etc.), marketing, finding the right buyer, and closing out the sale.

The holiday season is upon us, and it is time to think about what beverages to stock up on and showcase at your store to make gift-giving seamless for your customers. Whether the gift is for a party host, co-worker, friend, or family, we’ve been paying attention to the most popular trends, and here’s what you need to know in order to stay competitive this season.

BevAlcInsights by Drizly forecasted this season’s top alcohol gifts based on 2022 sales and gifting trends in their recent article, “2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Retailers”. The report encourages retailers to stock up on luxury beverages such as champagne, premium red wine, and high-end spirits.

Based on Drizly’s 16% increase in the average unit price of gift orders from 2021 to 2022, Drizly’s head of consumer insights, Liz Paquette, anticipates that consumers will spend even more this year. Forbes reported on the increase of luxury beverage sales in their recent article, “Drinkers Continue To Spend As Sales Of Luxury Booze Grows 23%. But Is It The Category Recession Proof?”. The answer, for the foreseeable future, is yes, as luxury spirits continue to thrive, the most noteworthy being tequila and American whiskey.

This data comes as no surprise since the holiday spirit boosts consumers’ tendency to splurge when purchasing special gifts, but it is also important to recognize diverse budgets in order to maximize consumer sales.

In our latest Advisor Magazine, we included a campaign ad produced by the 21st Century Alcohol Retail Reform Committee outlining why you should vote yes on question #3. The video explains that locally owned package stores, independent markets and convenience stores initiated the ballot question. Not only will voting yes help save Massachusetts small retailers and package stores, but it will support consumer convenience, public safety, and tourism. 

Visit https://www.yeson3mass.com/ for more information on how you can support this campaign!