A flurry of holiday economic forecasts has just been released, and if the predictions hold true, this year’s holiday season will be a joyous one for retailers.
First, there’s Deloitte’s annual holiday economic forecast, which estimates that total retail sales will increase 5-5.6 percent, while consumers’ average holiday spend will rise from $1,226 to $1,536 per consumer.
If that doesn’t get your heart to grow three sizes with excitement, there’s even more encouraging news. More holiday shoppers will head to physical stores this year — 88 percent of consumers overall — a six percentage-point increase from 2017, according to the annual In-Store Holiday Shopping survey from Natural Insight.
Shoppers will also be out earlier this year, according to the report, with 47 percent of holiday shopping happening before December, a 10-point increase over last year.
What does this mean to you? It means that right now is the most important time of the year for your business. This is especially true in the alcohol industry, where 28 percent ($12.1 billion) of total yearly spirit sales and 33 percent ($6.9 billion) of yearly wine sales happen between October 1 and December 31.*
If it’s not already crystal clear, now is the time of year to get customers into your store, and they are not just shopping for gifts for others, but for themselves as well.
According to Deloitte, more than three-quarters of consumers (78 percent) plan to shop for themselves during the holiday season, and 42 percent of those are likely to choose food and liquor as their preferred method of self-pampering.
As opportunistic as the holiday selling season can be for retailers, it can still be stressful for consumers who must weigh the ability to browse and discover gift ideas in stores against the holiday crowds.
As a retailer, it is imperative to be prepared for early holiday shoppers and provide an exceptional in-store experience for your customers. Make sure your inventory of gift-worthy spirits and wines are well stocked and merchandised in a way that is easy for early shoppers to navigate.
To help you cut through the clutter and ensure that you have a selection of gifts ready for your customers to discover, we put together a guide to this season’s best bottles of whisky, wine and of course, holiday bubbles.
This list is only a small selection of our complete holiday inventory. Your Connecticut Distributors, Inc. Sales Consultant is available to help you refine your selection at any time, all you need to do is ask.
1. La Marca Prosecco, 2. Martini Moscato D'Asti, 3. Mumm Cuvee M, 4. Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque, 5. J Vineyard CA Cuvee, 6. Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero
1. Kenwood 2013 Artists Series, 2. Louis Martini Napa Cabernet, 3. Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert, 4. Rowen Red Blend, 5. Kathern Hall Cabernet, 6. Supremus Toscana
1. Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece, 2. Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 3. Amador 96º Whiskey, 4. Virginia Distilling Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky, 5. Rabbit Hole Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a PX Sherry Barrel, 6. Knob Creek Rye
1. Laphroaig 32 Year Old Whisky, 2. Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill, 3. The Dalmore 12 Year, 4. Laphroaig 30 Year Old Whisky, 5. Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 6. Dewar’s 12 year Old
1. Gran Patron Burdeos Anejo Tequila, 2. Patrón Silver Limited Edition Liter Pack, 3. Patrón Piedra Extra Anejo Tequila, 4. Knob Creek with Mugs, 5. GH Mumm Grand Cordon with Two Glasses, 6. Pyrat Rum