August 2026 Control State Results
Control state results were generally weaker in August. While Michigan benefited from three additional selling days compared to the prior year, overall performance remained negative. Continued promotional activity in New Hampshire and increased consumer demand associated with the start of the college football season in West Virginia provided two notable bright spots. Spirits sales declined in August compared to the prior year, with 9L volume down -3.0% and $Vol down -5.5%, resulting in a -2.5% price mix. Rolling 12-month spirits results remained negative, with 9L volume down -0.8% and $Vol down -2.8%, producing a -2.0% price mix.
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July 2026 Control State Results
Control states posted mixed results in July. Headwinds from four fewer selling days in Michigan and a business model change in Utah, where package agency stores transitioned from a traditional wholesale purchase model to a transfer-based model model were offset by strong promotional activity in New Hampshire. Spirits sales were mixed, with 9L volume up +0.3% and $Vol down -2.2%, resulting in a -2.5% price mix. July’s rolling 12-month spirits results remained negative, with 9L volume down -0.6% and $Vol down -2.6%, producing a -2.0% price mix.
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June 2026 Control State Results
Control states posted solid gains in June, benefiting from additional selling days across several markets. Spirits sales strengthened, with 9L volume increasing +4.8% and $Vol rising +3.2%, resulting in a -1.6% price mix. Overall, control states experienced six additional selling days during the month, including two more selling days in Michigan and one additional selling day each in Alabama, Montana, North Carolina, and Utah. Despite June's positive performance, rolling 12-month spirits results remained negative, with 9L volume down -0.5% and $Vol down -2.5%, producing a ‑2.0% price mix.
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May 2026 Control State Results
Control states reported softer spirits and wine performance in May, driven in part by fewer selling days across several markets. Spirits sales declined, with 9L volume down -1.7% and $Vol down -4.4%, resulting in a -2.7% price mix. The calendar shift included five fewer selling days overall, with four less selling days in Utah and one less selling day each in Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, and North Carolina. Michigan reported three additional selling days. On a rolling 12-month basis, spirits remained down -1.1% in 9L volume and -3.1% in $Vol yielding a -2.0% price mix.
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April 2026 Control State Results
Control States spirits sales declined in April compared to March, with 9L volume down -1.2% and $Vol down -3.9%, resulting in a -2.7% price mix. Performance was influenced by four less selling days overall with one less selling day in Montgomery County, MD, five less selling days in Michigan, and two additional selling days in Utah. On a rolling 12-month basis, spirits remain negative down -1.3% in 9L volume and down -3.2% in $Vol, yielding a -1.9% price mix.
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March 2026 Control State Results
March Control States spirits sales improved versus February, with 9L volume increasing +1.2% and $Vol decreasing -1.6%, resulting in a -2.8% price mix. Performance was impacted by five additional selling days with two additional selling days in Utah and three additional selling days in Michigan. On a rolling 12-month basis, spirits finished down -1.0% in 9L volume and down -2.7% in $Vol, yielding a -1.7% price mix.
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February 2026 Control State Results
February Control States spirits sales improved versus January, with 9L volume declining -1.4% and $Vol decreasing -3.4%, resulting in a -2.0% price mix. Performance was impacted by six fewer selling days in Utah, with no other states experiencing calendar shifts. On a rolling 12-month basis, spirits finished down -1.4% in 9L volume and -3.0% in $Vol, yielding a -1.6% price mix.
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January 2026 Control State Results
Control States began the year with January 9L volume declining -2.1% and $Vol decreasing -3.7%, resulting in a negative price mix of -1.6%. The volume decline was partially attributable to four fewer selling days in Michigan, the second-largest spirits control state. This was partially offset by three additional selling days in Utah, for a net loss of one selling day across the system. On a rolling 12-month basis, spirits finished down -1.6% in 9L volume and -3.1% in $Vol, yielding a -1.5% price mix, with all metrics slightly weaker than full-year 2025 results.