As more customers search for their next alcohol sale online, craft beer and spirits manufacturers are solving legal and logistical challenges to meet this e-commerce demand.
This is according to PMMI Business Intelligence's “2024 Craft Beer and Spirits: Success Through Packaging” report. E-commerce for beer and spirits has rapidly gained popularity during the coronavirus pandemic, when ordering everything online became the norm. But the changes stalled. Post-pandemic, consumers continue to purchase craft beer and spirits through online storefronts.
E-commerce channels will continue to grow in importance for craft beer and spirits producers.
Up to 25% of all beer and RTD alcohol sales could be sold online by 2026, according to Crafted ERP's article “Top 5 Craft Beer Trends That Will Rock Breweries” cites ISWR's predictions.
Legal and Logistical Challenges in Craft Beer and Spirits E-Commerce
E-commerce may be growing in popularity, but it's not that easy for craft beer and spirits producers, primarily on the legal side.
Currently, only 11 states and the District of Columbia allow craft beer and spirits to be shipped directly to consumers, according to an article on Crafted ERP.
There are ways around these legal restrictions. According to the same Crafted ERP article, 31 states allow third-party services to deliver craft beer and spirits directly to consumers' homes, although direct delivery is quite limited.
E-commerce channels also bring special packaging considerations to craft producers. More frequent and messy handling in e-commerce distribution means that craft producers need to take special care to ensure that existing formats withstand the risks of e-commerce distribution. To do.
If breakage becomes an issue, craft producers should immediately change the packaging. Consumers do not tolerate broken products.
In a survey of 132 craft producers conducted for the PMMI Business Intelligence Report, 26% of respondents said they would need to make packaging or operational changes to accommodate e-commerce channels. Did.
OEMs and suppliers have a role to play in this process. We can advise handicraft producers on the best packaging format for e-commerce channels and adjust or add equipment to accommodate packaging changes required by e-commerce distribution.
Source: PMMI Business Intelligence – Craft Beer and Spirits in 2024: Success Through Packaging
To learn more about PMMI's Business Intelligence team, visit pmmi.org/business-intelligence for reports such as 2024 Remote Services and Monitoring Trends and 2023 Vertical Startup Accomplishments.
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