US: 80% favour direct-to-consumer shipping

Eighty percent of regular craft spirits drinkers in the US would like to be able to purchase products to be delivered directly to their homes, new research reveals.

The Direct to Consumer Spirits Shipping Report by Sovos Ship Compliant and the American Craft Spirits Association highlighted how eight US states and Washington DC allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) spirits shipping. This is compared with 47 states and Washington DC that allow DTC wine shipping.

The research revealed 79% of regular craft spirits drinkers would make purchases once a month or more if DTC was available.

They said they would spend US$108 on average per month if they could.

Larry Cormier, vice-president, general manager, Sovos Ship Compliant, said: “The findings of this survey support the growing sense that consumers will continue to desire and demand the convenience of direct shipping to their homes for all kinds of items.

“And the fact that 47% of regular craft spirits drinkers say they would spend more than US$100 a month on craft spirits via DTC shipping highlights a missed opportunity for states that could be collecting tax revenue on every shipment, and also for the spirits industry, which is severely limited by the current regulatory landscape.”

There are currently approximately 2,290 craft distilleries across the US.

Margie AS Lehrman, CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, said: “Direct-to-consumer shipping is poised to be a major imperative step in the evolution of the spirits marketplace, especially for craft distilleries.

“The current DTC market is small but is expected to grow and mature, particularly for smaller premium brands that consumers are demanding in different markets across the country.”