If you’re not offering delivery, you may want to reconsider that choice. And if you are offering delivery, you may want to up your game. Specialty services are beginning to part with local shops to offer the delivery options consumers want. [level-members]
Shanken News Daily recently reported on Argonaut Wine & Liquor in Denver bringing on Drizly as a delivery partner. Other firms, including Minibar and Thirstie, offer similar services.
An executive from Thirstie opined that on-demand delivery will eventually make up 10% of sales for the wine, liquor and spirits market. This might be self-serving, of course, given her vested interest in drumming up more interest … but it could also be shockingly low as more “digital natives” – the consumers who were born into a digital world – turn 21, move past the post-collegiate stage and bring their very online, on-demand expectations to their purchase of beverages.
Currently, these services are limited to higher density markets of major cities, but plans are already underway for further expansion beyond New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Another competitor in the space takes a somewhat different approach, focusing on in-store pickup. Customers can order a wine they might be enjoying at a restaurant and pick it up at a local retailer within a few days.
According to Drync CEO Brad Rosen, smaller shops are great candidates for his network as Drync’s relationship with wholesalers and their inventories helps level the playing field for smaller shops competing against larger players.
This is certainly a trend to keep an eye on and one we will continue to bring to you.
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