NABCA Releases Control States Nine-Liter Spirits Sales for May

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - June 26, 2013 - PRLog -- During May, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states were up 2.2% compared to a tough comparable 2012 period. Note, however, that sales during May this year benefited from five Fridays versus four during last year’s May. Rolling-twelve month reported volumes grew at 2.5%, down from April’s 3.2%. Alabama, Idaho, Montgomery County Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont reported monthly growth rates exceeding their twelve month trends.

Control state spirits shelf dollars were up 5.4% during May while also trending at 5.4% during the past twelve months. Alabama, Idaho, Montgomery County Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia reported growth rates exceeding their twelve month trends.

Price/Mix for May increased to 3.2% from April’s 2.6%. The NE control states—Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont—reported 5.0% that exceeded the other control state regions.

During May, Irish Whiskey, with 0.8% share of the control states spirits market, was the fastest growing category with 17.0% growth reported and a twelve month growth trend of 17.5%. Vodka, with 34% share, grew during the same periods at 2.9% and 3.6%. During May, Canadian Whiskey, Cordials, Domestic Whiskey, Gin, Scotch, and Tequila grew at rates that exceeded their twelve-month trends.

May’s nine-liter wine case sales growth rate grew 1.1%. Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Utah, Mississippi, Montgomery County Maryland, and Wyoming reported -0.8%, 2.9%, 6.9%, 3.0%, 4.0%, and 7.2%, respectively. May’s rolling-twelve month wine volume growth, 4.4%, is down from April’s 5.0%.

Definitions:
* Rolling 12 month volumes -- the amount of sales increased/decreased over the past 12 month period.

* Spirits -- another term for liquor.