Take a look below for the rest of Global Drinks Intel’s review of the last 12 months
In 2024, sales of ‘status’ spirits slumped by 8% in value terms, but growth prospects persist in an increasingly fragmented marketplace, with global travel retail and smaller markets outperforming.
The new frontier for spirits design is moving beyond luxury and extravagance, focusing instead on technology and genuine purpose to connect with an increasingly discerning drinker.
As the spirits industry struggles globally, craft distilling faces its first-ever downturn, exemplified by several high-profile bankruptcies in the US. But are there opportunities to be found among the challenges?
While not immune to market headwinds and regulatory changes, the bulk spirits industry is modernising fast, with a renewed focus on digitisation and efficiency.
From umami serves to spritzes, from 0% premixes to large-format sharing drinks, the global cocktail scene never sits still – and brands are moving fast to keep up.
For entrepreneurs looking to bring an idea to market without breaking the bank, contract distilling offers a smart and scalable alternative.
Flavoured spirits and liqueurs offer a fast-track to complexity, especially in cocktails. But can brand owners find consistency amid chequered trading conditions and an increasingly fickle consumer?
The tequila category’s success has been built squarely on the huge US market but, as demand in the country has softened, brand owners have been looking further afield for future growth.
Rum has long waited to take its seat at spirits’ top table. With growth forecast for premium-plus iterations combining with younger consumers’ willingness to experiment, has the category’s time finally arrived?
At a challenging time for the global whiskey/whisky category, non-scotch single malts still scent premiumisation opportunities both at home and overseas.
With every peak must come a trough, and so it is for gin and vodka in the Americas. IWSR forecasts both spirits will decline in the US between now and 2028 – and that’s before taking into account the added tumult of US tariffs.
Single malt scotch whisky remains a pillar of the overall whiskey/whisky category in the global travel retail channel, but analysis from ShelfTrak in April suggested that all was not well for the sector.
Low-alcohol and even – whisper it – alcohol-free aperitifs are the toast of the town as health-conscious consumers seek out lively, authentic elixirs with all-natural ingredients.
Trading conditions have impacted the bitters category in recent months, but the sector continues to show considerable resilience – and potential for growth.
While voicing confidence that a recent slip in global sales volumes is a short-term blip, cream liqueur brand owners are pushing ahead with innovative and premium NPD to drive growth.
