During September 2018 nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states grew -2.3% over same period sales last year.
September's control state spirits growth was lackluster despite a weak comp. However, in several ways the calendar effected September's growth rate. First, West Virginia's Holiday Trade Show sales are normally booked during September, the month during which the Trade Show occurs. The timing of this year's Trade Show required its sales to be reported during October rather than during September, artificially and profoundly depressing the state's September growth rate. Second, this year's September had five Sundays versus four last year. The retail outlets selling alcoholic beverages in six control states (Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, West Virginia) are closed on Sunday. These states collectively had six fewer selling days this September compared to last year. Third, and perhaps most significantly, a Friday on last year's September calendar was replaced by a Sunday this year. More than 20% of the weekly spirits sales are made on Fridays in the control states, whereas less than 10% of the weekly spirits sales are made on Sundays.
Pennsylvania (2.4%) reported a monthly growth rate that exceeded its twelve-month trend, while the growth rates for Alabama (-7.6%), Iowa(-4.5%), Idaho (0.1%), Montgomery County Maryland (-7.4%), Maine (-8.3%), Michigan (1.1%), Mississippi (-0.2%), Montana (-9.4%), North Carolina (-2.6%), New Hampshire (1.9%), Ohio (-1.6%), Oregon (0.5%), Utah (3.9%), Virginia (-1.0%), Vermont (-3.3%), West Virginia (-52.2%), and Wyoming (0.2%) fell short.
Control state rolling-twelve-month volume growth, 2.1%, was down from August’s reported 2.3%. Volumes in the control states grew 2.1% year-to-date compared to 2.7% a year ago.
Control state spirits shelf dollars were up 1.1% during September while trending at 4.8% during the past twelve months.
New Hampshire (13.2%), Pennsylvania (5.7%), and Utah (6.6%) reported growth rates exceeding their twelve-month trends. Alabama (-4.3%), Iowa (-2.4%), Idaho (2.9%), Montgomery County Maryland (-4.4%), Maine (-1.9%), Michigan (4.5%), Mississippi (2.7%), Montana (-6.0%), North Carolina (-0.8%), Ohio (1.5%), Oregon (3.4%), Virginia (0.9%), Vermont (-3.5%), West Virginia (-52.8%), and Wyoming (1.2%) grew shelf dollars at rates below their twelve-month trends.
Shelf dollars in the control states are up 4.9% year-to-date, flat with year-to-date growth reported a year ago.
Price/Mix for September is 3.4%, nearly mirroring August’s 3.3%.
Brandy/Cognac, with 6% share of the nine-liter case control states spirits market, was September’s fastest growing category with 4.8% growth reported and a twelve-month trend of -0.3%. Vodka, with 35% share, grew during the same periods at -2.9% and 2.0%, respectively. During September, Brandy/Cognac (4.8%) grew at a rate exceeding its twelve-month trend. Canadian Whiskey (-4.5%), Cocktails (3.6%), Cordials (-4.5%), Domestic Whiskey (-1.4%), Gin (-4.8%), Irish Whiskey (2.5%), Rum (-4.5%), Scotch (-6.7%), Tequila (3.2%), and Vodka (-2.9%) grew at rates below their twelve-month trends.
September’s nine-liter wine case sales growth rate was -2.9%. Pennsylvania (reporting -1.7% nine-liter case growth for wines), New Hampshire (-5.9%), Utah (-0.3%), Mississippi (-2.4%), Montgomery County Maryland (-8.2%), and Wyoming (-2.7%) 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 -1.4%, duplicating August’s reported -1.4%.
|
9L Cases CM % Chg |
Shelf $ CM % Chg |
Price/Mix |
Control States |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Control States |
-2.3 |
1.1 |
3.4% |
|
|
Central Region |
-2.8 |
1.0 |
3.9% |
IA, MD, MI, OH, PA, WV |
|
NE Region |
-1.9 |
6.7 |
8.6% |
ME, NH, VT |
|
NW Region |
-0.2 |
2.7 |
2.9% |
ID, MT, OR, UT, WY |
|
Southern Region |
-2.7 |
-0.6 |
1.9% |
AL, MS, NC, VA |
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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.