Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/705687
6 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com Editor's NOTE VP, Beverage Group Amy Collins Editor Jeremy Nedelka Tel: 203-855-8499 x2213 email: jnedelka@epgmediallc.com Associate Editor Kyle Swartz Tel: 203-855-8499 x2225 email: kswartz@epgmediallc.com Contributing Editors Maura Keller Marnie Old Jonathan H. Newman Jack Robertiello Melissa Niksic Thomas Henry Strenk Senior Regional Sales Manager Bruce Kostic Tel: 203-855-8499, ext. 2215 email: bkostic@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Mark Marcon Tel: 248-761-6231 email: mmarcon@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Debbie Rittenberg Tel: 215-431-8787 email: drittenberg@epgmediallc.com Associate Art Director Andrea Schneider Production Director Cherri Perschmann Tel: 763-383-4400, ext. 2425 email: cperschmann@epgmediallc.com Managing Art Director Dodi Vessels Senior Research Analyst Marina Velez Tel: 203-855-8499 x2212 email: mvelez@epgmediallc.com LIST RENTAL MeritDirect, Jim Scova email: jscova@MeritDirect.com Tel: 914-368-1012 REPRINTS Circulation and Audience Development Manager Robin Cooper email: rcooper@epgmediallc.com Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel CEO Marion Minor RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores Ted Farrell Haskell's Ed Mulvihill Peco's Liquors Steve Small Yankee Wine & Spirits Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's Beverage Dynamics is published by EPG Media & Specialty Information Editorial and executive offi ces at 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: 203-855-8499 Fax: 203-855-9446 CHANGE IS INEVITABLE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I've spent time meeting with or speaking to retailers in nearly every state. During our conversations, I've learned about long family histories, rapid expansions, growing pains, quirky local politics and every other business success and challenge you can imagine. From the biggest chains to the smallest independents, one topic came up time and again, leading me to be- lieve it's a universal challenge for the beverage alcohol industry. Every retailer I've spoken with is overwhelmed by the pace of change in our in- dustry. From changing consumer behaviors to changing federal, state and local laws to changes in the top and middle tiers brought about by consolidation, the past few years have sent shockwaves through a sluggish industry unprepared to adapt. But the picture is not as bleak as it seems. The beverage alcohol industry was stagnant because, for decades, it could afford to be. Since that's no longer the case, now is the time for innovation and cooperation – for helping one another succeed. The retail tier has operated as a jumble of disconnected fi efdoms for too long. Soon, I'll be announcing a new way to bring beverage alcohol retailers together to share ideas, learn from each other and invite isolated members of our community into the fold. Beverage Dynamics is committed to serving ALL members of our industry and I believe the retail tier is stronger as a cohesive group than as dozens (if not hun- dreds) of separate entities, often working independently toward the same goals. Our industry is changing – more women, immigrants and members of minority groups are opening successful stores, national chains are forcing changes to long- standing laws, and consumers are demanding more choice and convenience. How retailers respond to those new realities will determine their future success or failure. Protecting the status quo is not a viable option; it's a recipe for extinction. But if you're struggling to adapt, you're not alone. Beverage Dynamics has 50,000 sub- scribers, and I'll guarantee there's another retailer out there who faced your biggest challenge and overcame it. Let our community help you – stay connected on our website, or through Facebook and Twitter. You never know who might be willing to lend the helping hand or give the word of advice that starts to turn things around. Jeremy Nedelka Editor HONORING TOP RETAILERS Nominations are now open for the 2017 Retailer of the Year Awards. To fi nd out more, visit www.BeverageDynamics.com/retaileroftheyear.