NABCA Releases Control States Nine-Liter Spirits Sales Results for November

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Dec. 28, 2018 - PRLog -- During November 2018, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states grew 5.4% over same period sales last year. November's growth rate, which exceeded its twelve-month moving average trend, was robust despite an impressive comp. Control state rolling-twelve-month volume growth, 2.1%, was nearly flat with October's reported 2.2%. Spirit volumes in the control states grew 2.7% year-to-date compared to 3.1% a year ago.

November's control state spirits volume growth rate is noteworthy due to its impressive comp, 6.6%, which was effected by control states reporting anomalies. Specifically, during November 2017 Michigan and Utah reported five weeks of sales against four weeks during November 2016, artificially inflating sales and skewing control state growth. Each control state had the same number of selling days during November this year as it had last year, and calendar driven anomalies were avoided. A calendar affect somewhat buoying up sales this year, however, is this this year's November having five Fridays versus four last year: a strong Friday this year replacing a relatively weak Wednesday.

Alabama (9.9%), Iowa(4.5%), Idaho (9.0%), Montgomery County Maryland (2.1%), Maine (1.8%), Michigan (6.0%), North Carolina (9.2%), Ohio (8.5%), Oregon (6.5%), Pennsylvania (1.8%), Utah (7.0%), Virginia (8.5%), Vermont (5.1%), West Virginia (8.0%), and Wyoming (5.2%) reported spirits growth rates exceeding their twelve-month trends, while Mississippi (-1.6%), Montana (-3.2%), and New Hampshire (-2.8%) fell short of theirs.

Control state spirits shelf dollars were up 9.0% during November while trending at 5.0% during the past twelve months. Shelf dollars in the control states are growing at 5.6% year-to-date, up slightly from year-to-date growth, 5.4%, reported a year ago.

Alabama (11.6%), Iowa (7.9%), Idaho (12.2%), Montgomery County Maryland (3.7%), Michigan (9.5%), North Carolina (13.5%), Ohio (12.8%), Oregon (9.2%), Pennsylvania (6.8%), Utah (7.4%), Virginia (12.1%), Vermont (7.7%), and West Virginia (10.4%) grew shelf dollars at rates exceeding their twelve-month trends, while Maine (5.3%), Mississippi (0.3%), Montana (-1.3%), New Hampshire (-3.0%), and Wyoming (7.6%) fell short of theirs.

Price/Mix for November is 3.6%, up smartly from October's 2.7%.

Irish Whiskey, with 1% share of the nine-liter case control states spirits market, was November's fastest growing category with 15.6% growth reported and a twelve-month trend of 12.9%. Vodka, with 35% share, grew during the same periods at 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively. During November, Brandy/Cognac (4.4%), Canadian Whiskey (5.7%), Cocktails (11.2%), Cordials (6.1%), Domestic Whiskey (8.9%), Gin (0.2%), Irish Whiskey (15.6%), Rum (2.6%), Scotch (-0.2%), Tequila (12.1%), and Vodka (3.8%) grew at rates exceeding their twelve-month trends.

November's nine-liter wine case sales growth rate was 1.0%. Pennsylvania (reporting 1.3% nine-liter case growth for wines), New Hampshire (0.2%), Utah (1.1%), Mississippi (3.0%), Montgomery County Maryland (-1.3%), and Wyoming (-2.7%) are the control states that are the sole wholesalers of wines and spirits within their geographical boundaries. Rolling-twelve-month wine volume growth in these six control states was -1.6%, mirroring October's reported -1.6%.