The wine and spirits categories both endured a challenging start to 2025 in the US, according to figures released this week.
Data from The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America showed that in the first three months of this year, wine sales were down by 10.5% in value terms on the corresponding period in 2024. The category’s volumes also declined in the country, by 9.9%.
Over in spirits, the trade association said that value sales fell by 5.1% as volumes decreased by 6.3%. For the 12 months to the end of March, spirits sales stood at -3.9% in value and at -3.8% for volumes.
The figures feature in WSWA’s SipSource platform, which sources its data from “real wholesaler depletion data”.
Also highlighted in the report was what the trade association called a “major shift in premiumisation trends” in the US. “After years where revenue growth outpaced volume,” the WSWA said, “recent months have seen volume trends outstrip revenue in the wine category, while spirits revenue has recently rebounded ahead of volume trends.”
Looking forward, spirits volumes in 12 months to the end of June are expected to maintain their current trajectory and velocity, with a forecast decline for the period of 3.83%.
“There’s no sugarcoating the challenges ahead,” the WSWA said. “With SipSource, businesses can prepare smarter.”
Founded in 1943, the organisation claims that its membership accounts for 80% of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the US.
The country’s spirits industry has fared better abroad in recent months: Figures from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US in April showed spirits exports in the 12 months of 2024 jumping 9.7% on the year prior.
