- The US beer, wine, and liquor store industry is about USD 30 billion, with nearly 40,000 retailers. However, the segment is extremely fragmented with the top 50 companies accounting for less than 20% of the sales.
- There are only 2000 companies in the US with annual revenues between USD 1 – 5 Million.
Obvious from the statistics is the level of challenge that a small wine, beer and liquor store faces. Personal income, consumer tastes and lifestyle preferences are the main contributing factors in generating demand. Seasonal changes significantly affect the consumption and buying patterns of consumers in this industry.
With a direct competition from convenience stores, grocery stores, clubs and indirectly from restaurants and bars, a small retailer is faced with an enormous challenge to not only generate revenues but also to retain customer and customer loyalty.
Competitive pricing, superior & personalized customer service and specialized merchandize are some of the core challenges that this industry faces.
Head office operations need complete visibility of stock across the retail chain to effectively push stock rather than relying on store requisitions.
Additionally the merchandising department needs to raise purchase orders in time to avoid stock out situations.
Local regulations aside, retailers need a robust inventory control to analyze movement of goods – which goods are moving faster than the others.
To cater to the seasonal demands, the retailer needs to have a flexibility to create assortments and gift packs with ease. Such a balance requires an integrated business management solution that allows flexibility to cater to the diverse & unique demands of Liquor Retailers. A Retail Management Software that seamlessly integrates all business processes from the POS at store to the planners at the Head Office lowering the overall cost of operations, simplifying expansion and enabling the Liquor Retailer maintain his unique proposition and positioning.
