It seems obvious that you should pick a wine distributor if that’s your product segment in the craft business. However, that’s not always the case. Here’s why you should consider a beer distributor for your wine brands:
- They make faster payments
While wine distributors typically pay after your wine is sold, beer distributors get you paid quickly. No one wants to have to chase down payments and deal with the inevitable cash crunch that happens when you don’t get paid on time. With beer distributors, once you send your cases to them and a payment date is agreed upon, you get paid accordingly.
- Beer distributors are industry pioneers
Beer distributors have been around the longest, seeing how the environment has evolved over time and having the longest-standing relationships. Their influence and experience can be a huge benefit to your wine brand because they can quickly connect you to the right people while guiding through the most efficient pathway to your target retailers.
- They have perfected the art and science of merchandising
With such extensive experience, beer distributors are master merchandisers. They also do their own printing and promotions. All you need to do is share your merchandising needs and share your artwork and they will do the rest for you.
- Beer distributors are everywhere.
Beer distributors typically are involved in getting beverages out to as many stores as possible — from convenience and gas station stores to restaurants and retail chains. This can give your wine brand a competitive advantage versus working with a wine distributor that does not have the same access.
- There is less competition
A wine distributor tends to work with hundreds of wine brands, which means you have to compete for attention on the shelves as well as with the distributor. However, beer distributors tend to have fewer wine brands on their portfolio. That means you don’t have to vie for attention with them or in the retail or restaurant locations they serve.
Tips on Selecting a Beer Distributor
Once you decide to work with a beer distributor for your wine brand, consider these factors:
- Determine where you want your wine to be located.
- Assess if they align with your vision, passion, and commitment.
Also, once you select the beer distributor you want to go with, you should stay with them. Over time, the sales rep with that beer distributor can get to all their accounts and share your wine brand with them. That patience and rapport can get your wine on the shelf of all those accounts.
In the next blog post, we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks with distributors that you will need to address.
