ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 19, 2017) —During April, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states grew 0.2% compared to same period sales last year, a modest growth rate notwithstanding a weak comp. Rolling-twelve month volume growth of 2.4% improved upon March’s 2.3%. Michigan (5.3%), New Hampshire (4.4%), and West Virginia (7.5%) reported monthly growth rates for April that exceeded their twelve month trends. Spirits volumes in the control states have grown 1.5% year-to-date compared to 2.7% a year ago.
There were eight fewer selling days, 1.6% fewer, during this year’s April compared to last year’s. Retailers in six control states—Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, West Virginia—are not open on Sunday, and April this year had five Sundays compared to four last year.
Control state spirits shelf dollars were up 2.3% during April while trending at 4.4% during the past twelve months. Michigan (7.2%), New Hampshire (8.2%), and West Virginia (11.1%) reported growth rates exceeding their twelve month trends. Shelf dollars in the control states have grown 5.8% year-to-date compared to 4.4% last year.
Price/Mix for April is 2.1%, nearly flat with March’s 2.2%.
Irish Whiskey, with 1% share of the control states spirits market, was April’s fastest growing category with 10.0% reported and a twelve month trend of 14.3%. Vodka, with 35% share, grew during the same periods at 0.3% and 2.2%. Cocktails (2.6%) grew at a rate exceeding its twelve month trend, while Brandy/Cognac (5.7%), Canadian Whiskey (-0.6%), Cordials (-2.8%), Domestic Whiskey (-0.5%), Gin (-4.3%), Irish Whiskey (10.0%), Rum (-0.9%), Scotch (-3.0%), Tequila (5.2%), and Vodka (0.3%) fell short.
April’s nine-liter wine case sales growth rate was 3.9%. Pennsylvania (reporting 7.4% nine-liter case growth for wines), New Hampshire (0.1%), Utah (4.1%), Mississippi (0.2%), Montgomery County Maryland (-5.9%), and Wyoming (-5.2%) are the control states that are the sole wholesalers of wines and spirits within their geographical boundaries. Rolling-twelve month wine volume growth in these six control states was 2.0%, up from March’s reported 1.4%.
| 9L Cases CM % Chg | Shelf $ CM % Chg | Price/Mix | Control States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Control States | 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.1% | |
| Central Region | 1.8 | 3.7 | 1.9% | IA, MD, MI, OH, PA, WV |
| NE Region | 3.1 | 6.6 | 3.5% | ME, NH, VT |
| NW Region | -1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0% | ID, MT, OR, UT, WY |
| Southern Region | -2.4 | -0.4 | 2.0% | AL, MS, NC, VA |
For more information about the NABCA, visit www.nabca.org.
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ABOUT NABCA:
Established in 1938, NABCA is the national association representing the Control State Systems - those jurisdictions that directly control the distribution and sale of beverage alcohol within their borders. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, NABCA’s mission is to support member jurisdictions in their efforts to protect public health and safety and assure responsible and efficient systems for beverage alcohol distribution and sales. For more information about the NABCA, visit www.nabca.org.