Control State Result Weaken in August: NABCA

Control state results were generally weaker in August, the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association reported.

While Michigan benefited from three additional selling days compared to the prior year, overall performance remained negative. Continued promotional activity in New Hampshire and increased consumer demand associated with the start of the college football season in West Virginia provided two notable bright spots.

Spirits sales declined in August compared to the prior year, with 9 liter volume down 3% and sales down 5.5%, resulting in a negative 2.5% price mix. Rolling 12-month spirits results remained negative, with 9-liter volume down 0.8% and sales down 2.8%, producing a negative 2% price mix.

RTD Cocktails Primary Growth Driver

Category performance was broadly negative. Cocktails, led by canned ready-to-drink (RTD) products, continued to be the primary growth driver, with 9L volume increasing 12.4% and sales rising 8.4%. Irish Whiskey and Cachaca also posted gains. All other major categories declined during the month.

Wine sales continued to soften in August, with 9 liter volume decreasing 6.4% and salesl declining 5.0%, yielding a positive 1.4% price mix. Rolling 12-month wine trends remained negative, with 9 liter volume down 3.9% and sales decreasing 2.2%, resulting in a positive 1.7% price mix.

On-Premise

The on-premise channel was also down for spirits in August, with 9-liter volume declining 1.6% and sales decreasing 4.4%. Rolling 12-month on-premise spirits performance remained mixed, with 9-liter liter volume up 0.5% and sales down 1.8%, resulting in a -2.3% price mix.

On-premise wine results were mixed in August. 9-liter volume declined 3.1% while sales were essentially flat, generating a positive 3.1% price mix. Longer-term trends remained challenging, with rolling 12-month 9-liter volume down 3.9% and sales decreasing 2%, resulting in a positive 1.9% price mix.