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/92548
EDITOR'S NOTE Strategies For Success s of June 1, 2012, the state of Washington "de-controlled" its distilled spirits whole- sale and retail operations. Instead of the state acting as sole distributor of spirits, private distributors have taken over that task. And the state's 331 retail stores were auctioned off to private retailers. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, stores that are at least 10,000 square-feet in size can now sell liquor as well as wine, beer and other products, opening up the market to supermarkets and superstores such as Costco (which initiated the legal efforts that dismantled the state's control system) and other large beverage alcohol chains, such as Total Wine & More (which already has situated two large stores in the state, with plans for more) and BevMo!, the well-known California-based chain. In our Retail Profile this issue (see page 18), we explore BevMo!'s new A retail operation in Washington. The chain opened two 10,000-square-foot- plus stores in July – one in Tacoma and one in Silverdale. The third and newest BevMo!, which recently opened in Tukwila, just south of downtown Seattle, shows how a forward-thinking operation can foster excitement in the store, which ultimately creates a positive halo effect for the store brand. Writer Cheryl Ursin notes that "Generally, the opening festivities last all weekend, from free coffee and breakfast goodies before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, to tastings and demonstrations from both local and international wineries, breweries and distillers, free tastings of cheese and other snacks, and gift bags filled with items such as barware, mixers, snacks and bar- tending books, valued at over $50, for the first 500 customers." At the Tukwila store opening, however, BevMo! scored a new chain highlight: it hosted its first-ever wedding. "Local residents Dean Kittelson and Roni Brock were married on a stage in front of the store, complete with flowers and cake, with Alan Johnson, BevMo!'s CEO, officiating. Family, friends and over 500 BevMo! customers then toasted the happy couple." This is the kind of activity that creates great publicity and immediately causes potential customers in a neighborhood to take notice. Of course, not every retailer can host a wedding, but as the retail land- scape evolves around us, there are ever increasing opportunities for retailers to learn and position themselves for success in the twenty-first century. This year, Beverage Dynamics is hosting its third annual BDLive! Conference, the only event of its kind solely dedicated to the concerns of the off-premise beverage alcohol retailer. The last two years have been marked by fascinating interactions among the retail attendees, as they traded retail war stories and new ideas, in the open discussions engendered by the various presentations and seminars. It's all taking place February 13-14 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown. Join us for workshops, sessions, panel discussions, our welcome reception and more. Get details at BeverageDynamicsLive.com. Finally, I've decided that my New Year's Resolution this year is to take heed of the advice given by legendary pitcher Satchel Paige: "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you." Happy New Year! Richad Brandes, Editor-in-Chief 4 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • November/December 2012 Executive Vice President and Group Publisher email: cforman@m2media360.com Editor-in-Chief Charles Forman Tel: 845-426-6072 Fax: 845-426-6423 email: rbrandes@m2media360.com Richard Brandes Tel: 212-353-3832 Fax: 212-353-8214 Managing Editor Jeremy Nedelka Harriet Lembeck F. Paul Pacult Robert Plotkin Michael Sherer Cheryl Ursin Contributing Editors Dan Berger Vice President of Sales, Associate Publisher Anthony Bongiovanni tbongiovanni@m2media360.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Mark Marcon mmarcon@m2media360.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Debbie Rittenberg drittenberg@m2media360.com Art Director Adam Lane Senior Research Analyst Adam Rogers List Rental Manager Cheryl Naughton RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Charles Bailes III ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Orlando, FL Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's, Kansas City, MO David Breitstein Duke of Bourbon, Canoga Park, CA Jim Shpall Applejack Liquors, Wheat Ridge, CO Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop, Grand Forks, ND Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's, Nashville, TN Greg Wonsmos Centennial, Dallas, TX M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Marion Minor Vice President, Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel Senior Vice President, Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Vice President, Operations and Human Resources Mary Jo Tomei Beverage Dynamics is published by The Beverage Information Group a division of M2MEDIA360 Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores, Springfield, MO Dan Manning Haskell's, Minneapolis, MN Burt Notarius Premier Liquors, Kemmore, NY Editorial and executive offices at 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: (203) 855-8499 Fax: (203) 855-9446 E-mail: rbrandes@m2media360.com