Dear Drinks Executive,
This month we present another packed issue of Global Drinks Intel.
Whatever your views on the validity of man-made climate change, there is little doubt that the drinks industry has gone all in for sustainability. In the past two years, most leading drinks companies have announced grain-to-glass sustainability goals and initiatives programmes, but Intel asks, are current goals realistic? We take a comprehensive look at the issue.
One of the changes in recent years is the industry has begun to look at it more from the perspective of occasion than category – be it aperitivo, high-energy, etc. Discernment and sipping is one of those identified categories and ties into the related trend of premiumisation. Intel takes a close look at how many modern consumers have found a place in their drinking repertoire for sipping and discernment occasions.
The summer season is always a busy time in the ‘normal’ alcoholic drinks calendar, packed as it is with the likes of music and food festivals, national days of celebration and open-air concerts. As the days lengthen and things warm up in the Northern Hemisphere, summer always sees a slew of innovation as brands release the latest styles, flavours, packaging formats and image makeovers to make the most of consumers’ sun-lifted spirits and willingness to try fresh, seasonal variations. Intel looks at the latest innovations. On a related subject, CGA’s Graeme Loudon explores post-pandemic consumer trends in the cocktail segment and highlights how brands and operators can capitalise on spritz serves in the summer season.
Another change is that suppliers are taking less of a country perspective and more of a city viewpoint. They reason that London has more in common with New York or Paris than Newcastle or Aberdeen. That’s why we introduced the on-premise CityScapes series, which looks at the developments in a major global metro centre. This month, Bridget McElroy looks at Washington DC and finds a more than vibrant on-premise scene.
As part of regular route-to-market coverage, Drizly COO Cathy Lewenberg tells Intel how the 10-year-old firm is expanding to new states with thousands of partner retail stores.
All this in addition to our regular category coverage. This month, we look at super-premium gin, absinthe, liqueurs and Champagne.
We hope that you enjoy the issue.
Best regards,
Global Drinks Intel.
