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Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Vaughan Immerwahr Vaughan Immerwahr New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 42482

Revenue

$144.5bn

2024

$144.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

93,157

Businesses

6,284

Wages

$X.Xbn

Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry analysis

Wine and spirits wholesalers have enjoyed notable growth through the current period. Heightened consumer spending, driven by increased disposable income and consumption of high-value wine and distilled spirits, has driven revenue for wholesalers in recent years. Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8% to an estimated $144.5 billion, with an increase of 2.0% in 2024 alone. Wholesalers have also managed to increase profits despite rising transportation costs resulting from heightened crude oil prices. By adopting automation and technological labor substitutes, they have reduced wage expenses. Additionally, increased purchase costs have been successfully passed on to consumers, contributing to sustained profit growth.

Trends and Insights

  • Consumer preferences for premium liquors have driven growth. Premium brands have a higher price tag, benefiting wine and liquor wholesaler revenue.
  • The three-tier system keeps retail expenditures strong. In most states, the sale of alcohol must go from producer to distributor to retailer, keeping wholesalers relevant.
  • Large populations increase the potential customer base. Wine and spirit wholesalers are concentrated in more densely populated regions.
  • Competitive strategies differ with size. While large wholesalers compete primarily on price and exclusive distribution agreements, small wholesalers can compete effectively by distributing unique and luxury products.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $144.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Wholesalers have benefited from premiumization trends

  • Wholesalers have seen significant advantages from the trend of premiumization. Consumers now favor premium and higher-priced brands, a trend labeled as premiumization within the industry’s supply chain. Rising production prices, linked to the increasing agricultural price index, have also contributed to this shift.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Decreasing excise taxes will support demand

  • The Craft Beverage Modernization Act and Tax Reform Act will continue to fuel growth for wine and spirit wholesalers through the outlook period. Falling excise taxes will especially boost profit and spur increased upstream production, giving wholesalers more supply options.

Biggest companies in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, Llc
21,867.8
849.0
3.9
Republic National Distributing Company, Llc
13,257.9
514.7
3.9
Breakthru Beverage Group, Llc
7,709.3
299.2
3.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Table wine, Vodka and Whiskey. Table wine is the largest segment of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US.

Trends and Insights

Table wines dominate the expanding wine market

  • This product segment encompasses all types of wines, including table, dessert and sparkling. Table wines consist of all still wines with no more than 14.0% alcohol by volume (ABV). Popular examples are Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert wines have higher ABV, ranging from 14.0% to 24.0%, and usually contain more sugar, with examples such as Port and Sherry. Sparkling wines include those from specific regions such as Champagne.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry distributes wine, distilled alcoholic beverages and various neutral spirits. Alcohol products are purchased from alcoholic beverage manufacturers and sold at wholesale volumes to licensed alcoholic beverage retailers.

What's included in this industry?

Table wineDessert wineVodkaWhiskeyRumTequilaGin

Companies

Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, LlcRepublic National Distributing Company, LlcBreakthru Beverage Group, Llc

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DISTILLED SPIRITON-PREMISE CONSUMPTIONCONTROL STATEDIRECT SHIPPINGSHRINKAGETHREE-TIER SYSTEM

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 42482 - Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Consumer preferences for premium liquors have driven growth. Premium brands have a higher price tag, benefiting wine and liquor wholesaler revenue.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The three-tier system keeps retail expenditures strong. In most states, the sale of alcohol must go from producer to distributor to retailer, keeping wholesalers relevant.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Large populations increase the potential customer base. Wine and spirit wholesalers are concentrated in more densely populated regions.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competitive strategies differ with size. While large wholesalers compete primarily on price and exclusive distribution agreements, small wholesalers can compete effectively b...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Southern Glazer's has expanded its market share through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Their most significant merger was just before the current period when Southern Win...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Republic National Distributing Company, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Breakthru Beverage Group, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Republic National Distributing Company, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Breakthru Beverage Group, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The three-tier system protects wholesalers. It requires that a licensed wholesaler act as an intermediary between producers and retailers to distribute alcohol safely.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Cost structures vary depending on the wholesaler’s size, product and service offerings, geographic location and relationships with suppliers and retailers. Small wholesalers ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $144.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?

There are 6,284 businesses in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling market in United States are Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, Llc, Republic National Distributing Company, Llc and Breakthru Beverage Group, Llc

What does the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US in United States include?

Table wine and Dessert wine are part of the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Southern Glazer's Wine And Spirits, Llc.

How competitive is the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Beer Wholesaling in the US

Complementors

  • Wineries in the US
  • Distilleries in the US
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US

International industries

  • Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesaling in Canada
  • Liquor Wholesaling in Australia
  • Liquor and Tobacco Product Wholesaling in New Zealand
  • Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaling in the UK
  • Food, Beverage & Tobacco Wholesaling in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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