Nick Fede, Jr., Director, Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative.

By Nick Fede, Jr., Director, Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative

The holiday season is now upon us! As this edition of the Beverage Journal rolls out, I hope everyone in both the on- and off-premise enjoyed a successful and safe Thanksgiving week. With just four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this offers very little time for retailers wishing to catch a breather before the big Christmas push.

Within the alcohol realm, we have noticed a shift away from wine toward spirits. Instead of viewing this as a loss, use it as an advantage. Educate your customers about new spirits by printing out signature cocktail recipes, which use multiple ingredients you sell in your store.

More than ever, consumers want to learn about the products we are privileged to sell. When hosting guests, they hope to elevate the experiences of all in attendance. Help the consumer achieve their home entertainment goals by focusing on that education piece. You’ll notice the results at the cash register.

Wait … don’t forget about wine! Double down on the vitality of wine as a category. Many retailers are reporting back with news of successful Grand Wine Tastings from November; there is indeed hope! Utilize your wholesale and supplier partners and develop a strategy tailored to your store in hopes of selling more wine this holiday season. Many of your salespeople also call on the restaurants that surround your store. Use this to your advantage.

One tip is to stack items on your sales floor that are featured by the glass at your local restaurant. A consumer that was just introduced to their new favorite wine at a local restaurant will most likely want to bring a bottle home to enjoy—capitalize on this opportunity. Explore the possibility of large-format selections and don’t be afraid to suggest premium items to shoppers. The holiday season is a time where many consumers splurge on items they wouldn’t normally purchase. Make sure you’re stocked up and in a position to be successful.

Beer and cider are often overlooked as a premium option to be enjoyed at the holiday dinner table. I must stress: Do not sleep on this category! There are so many premium beer and cider options to look to when developing a selection for the holiday shopper. Consider carrying large-format Belgian ales, an expanded selection of fresh-hopped local brews or even méthode champenoise ciders. Again, give the consumer the option to jump up and try something different when they’re deciding on what beverage to enjoy with one of the more special meals of the year. I wish you all success in your December selling season!

As we gear up for next year’s legislative session, I can’t help but reflect on the conclusion of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative’s (RILOC) third year. I am so grateful for the support of stores across the state and the work I accomplish with the Board of Directors. RILOC continues to be in growth mode; however, those who are already involved continue their steadfast trust. If you’re reading this and have yet to participate in RILOC, you’ve waited far long enough. And if you’ve been a supporter, see this as a call to action to get more stores involved!

The Rhode Island independent retail community is diverse and vibrant, meaning there is a place for every voice in our room. We listen to owners of stores of all shapes and sizes and do our best to address their individual concerns.

As we look toward 2025, stay tuned for updates on the direct-to-consumer wine shipping case, Anvar v. Dwyer, as it goes to oral argument in February. The 2025 legislative session kicks off on Jan. 7; be on alert for updates as the action on Smith Hill heats up. Also, be on the lookout for guest content, as we share information from fellow American Beverage Licensees affiliates from around the country. I believe in us and you should too. We are always looking for volunteers and I hope to add more teammates to our already talented roster. May we continue to find success in unity.

Contact riliquoroperatorscollaborative@gmail.com to get involved.

Nick Fede Jr. serves as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative and is a third-generation liquor retailer.