> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bevnews.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Alcohol Searches for Traction - URL: https://bevnews.net/alcohol-searches-for-traction/ - Published: 2026-11-03T03:37:38.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-03T03:37:38.000Z - Author: Joel Whitaker - Tags: Sales During the four weeks ending Oct. 24, Total Alcohol remained on a subdued trajectory. Dollar sales reached $8.1 billion, down 2.2% from a year earlier, while case volume totaled 154.9 million, declining 4.%, NIQ reported. Weekly dollar sales totaled $2 billion, up 0.3% versus the week ending Oct. 17\. The marginal weekly lift puts the prior week’s declines on pause, but leaves the industry searching for traction. With Halloween approaching, NIQ said, seasonal gatherings could provide a welcome boost to demand as October draws to a close. • **Prepared Cocktails Beer, Wine, and Spirits** (BWS) provided a brighter spot in an otherwise subdued Alcohol market. Dollar growth accelerated to +2.3%, despite volume declining -1.7%. This gives the category’s growth story firmer backing, although its gains remain confined to dollars. • **Beer**'sslower pace of decline took some weight off the industry’s performance. Dollar sales fell -2.6% and volume declined -4.3%. Both declines eased from the prior period, taking some pressure off the category. However, continued volume losses show that Beer has yet to regain its footing. • **Wine** recorded deeper losses, with dollar sales slipping -3.8% and volume dropping -5.3%. Declines widened across both measures, leaving Wine with the weakest performance among the major categories. During the four weeks ending October 24th, Still Wine had deeper declines in both metrics, value -4.6%, cases -5.8%. Conversely, Sparkling Wine accelerated in both, now dollars pacing at +1.5%, and volume +0.1% after recurring declines. Non-Alcoholic Wine also maintained growth, though it moderated slightly, with value growing 18.4% and volume up 14.6%. Growth in these smaller segments continues to provide some support, but Still Wine’s persistent weakness limits overall category progress. • **Spirits sustained losses, with dollars down 2.5% and volume off 2.4%**. Softer demand and broader economic headwinds remained the primary drag on performance, driving 88% of the decline. Spirits sales reached $521.6 million in the latest week, up 1.7% from the prior week, a testament to Halloween and the holiday entertaining season. While Spirits remain more resilient than the broader industry, upcoming celebrations offer an opportunity to strengthening ongoing efforts. **Tequila holds modest growth** and Non-Alcoholic Spirits upkeeps leading pace Performance across the leading Spirits categories (Vodka, Whiskey, and Tequila) remained uneven as the holiday season approaches. Whiskey’s losses slightly deepened, with dollar sales down 4.8% and volume down 5.3%. Vodka held steady with minor improvement, now declining 1.2% in dollars and 1.9% in volume. Similarly, Tequila dollars grew 0.6%, and volume rose slightly, now up 5.1%. Non-Alcoholic Spirits strengthened in volume with steady value trend, 20.4%, and volume increasing 22.0%. All other Spirits segments collectively fell 2.5% in dollars and 3.5% in volume, leaving growth concentrated in select areas. **Most of the top 10 state markets posted declines**, with improving performance in select markets. • Ohio led dollar performance with growth of +0.3% vs YA, moving beyond the prior period’s -0.6% decline. New Jersey also crossed into slightly positive territory on volume, up +0.2% versus a -1.0% declinepreviously. These shifts bring both markets closer to stability, with stronger momentum still to be established. • Massachusetts faced a deeper setback, with dollar sales falling -9.0% and volume declining -10.5%. Michigan and Illinois offered some relief, as dollar declines narrowed to -2.6% and -1.2%, respectively. • The latest results reveal a widening contrast between markets approaching flat performance and those still absorbing substantial losses. Ohio and New Jersey’s marginal gains, alongside smaller declines in Michigan and Illinois. However, continued weakness across most major markets keeps a broad return to growth out of reach. • **Channel dollar trends remained uneven**. Club led declines at -4.3%, followed by Food -3.4%, Liquor -2.0%, Mass -1.7%, and Convenience -1.6%. Meanwhile, All Others +2.6% captured gains. • Volume trends continued to differ from dollar trends. Food -4.7% led volumed losses, followed by Convenience -4.5%, Mass -4.5%, Liquor -3.2%, and Club -2.3%. Similar to dollar sales performance, All Others (+4.1%) was the sole volume grower. • **The latest results through mid-October reinforce the increasingly divergent Alcohol landscape**. Prepared Cocktails (BWS) continue to stand apart as the industry's source of growth, Spirits holds as the most stable traditional category, while Beer and Wine face firm pressure as the developing Fall performance remains below expectations. The latest four-week results through October 24th reveal an uneven Alcohol landscape. Prepared Cocktails (BWS) stronger dollar growth and Beer’s easing losses have yet to translate into a broader turnaround, with Wine losing further ground and volume remaining negative across all four major categories. Ohio inches into dollar growth; major markets show uneven progress Regional trends continued to reflect nationwide industry softness, with most of the top ten state markets posting declines, with improving performance in select markets. • Ohio led dollar performance with growth of +0.3% vs YA, moving beyond the prior period’s -0.6% decline. New Jersey also crossed into slightly positive territory on volume, up +0.2% versus a -1.0% decline previously. These shifts bring both markets closer to stability, with stronger momentum still to be established. • Massachusetts faced a deeper setback, with dollar sales falling -9.0% and volume declining -10.5%. Michigan and Illinois offered some relief, as dollar declines narrowed to -2.6% and -1.2%, respectively. • The latest results reveal a widening contrast between markets approaching flat performance and those still absorbing substantial losses. Ohio and New Jersey’s marginal gains, alongside smaller declines in Michigan and Illinois. However, continued weakness across most major markets keeps a broad return to growth out of reach. Convenience narrows its declines as Club faces deeper dollar losses • Channel dollar trends remained uneven. Club led declines at -4.3%, followed by Food -3.4%, Liquor -2.0%, Mass -1.7%, and Convenience -1.6%. Meanwhile, All Others +2.6% captured gains. • Volume trends continued to differ from dollar trends. Food -4.7% led volumed losses, followed by Convenience -4.5%, Mass -4.5%, Liquor -3.2%, and Club -2.3%. Similar to dollar sales performance, All Others (+4.1%) was the sole volume grower.