Large Retailers Expand Alcohol Sections
From Walmart to Target, stores are looking to add more wine, beer and liquor to their shelves.
Sep 13, 2019
BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Alcohol is becoming big business for discount retailers like Target and Walmart, Modern Retail reports. “I think one of the big ones that we’re leaning into is adult beverage,” said Steve Bratspies, Walmart’s chief merchandising officer. “So alcohol is something that I think we’re under-shared in, under-spaced in and we’ve got plans to address that as we go forward.”
In the past, beer and wine hasn’t been a large part of the retailers’ strategy, but that’s changing as the companies seek new ways to stay competitive. “Walmart is always evaluating our assortment to ensure we are offering the items our customers are looking for, including in the adult beverage space,” said a spokesperson.
While overall, traditional retailers have been slower to innovate in the beer and wine channel, one huge trend has been to add private-label alcohol. Early innovators in store-label wine have been Trader Joe’s, Costco and Whole Foods. Last year, Walmart introduced a private-label wine called Winemakers Selection at $11 per bottle, while Target and Kroger also have their own private-label wines.
Another growing part of the alcohol industry has been delivery. Amazon has been making inroads into delivering alcohol, such as applying for liquor permits to open a delivery hub in San Francisco. Kroger is also investing heavily into delivering alcohol.
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