Colorado Craft Spirits Industry Distribution: Analyzing the Decision for Distilleries

Colorado Distillery

Navigating Distribution Channels for Colorado Craft Sprits Industry: A Decision for Distilleries

Colorado craft spirits industry is facing challenges of a maturing marketplace. Colorado is renowned for its thriving craft beer scene, with numerous breweries producing a wide range of styles and flavors. At the same time the Colorado craft spirits movement has gained momentum. There are a rapidly-growing number of distilleries producing small-batch whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and other spirits. Many of these distilleries focus on using locally sourced ingredients and innovative techniques to create unique and distinctive products. As the Colorado craft spirits market continues to thrive, small and independent distilleries face a critical decision: whether to continue selling directly to retail customers or to engage a distributor.

 Let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a distributor in the Centennial State.

Advantages of Hiring a Distributor:

Market Penetration

Merchandising: Shelf placement is critical for Colorado craft spirits brand success

Distributors often have established networks and relationships with retailers, bars, and restaurants. Leveraging these existing connections can significantly enhance a distillery’s market penetration, especially in areas where direct outreach might be challenging. Their extensive distribution networks and logistics capabilities allow them to cover a broad geographic area within Colorado. Whether it’s urban centers like Denver and Boulder or rural areas in the mountains or plains, distributors can ensure that products are available in diverse locations throughout the state.

Colorado distributors play a crucial role by leveraging their expertise, resources, and networks. Like many states with a thriving craft spirits industry, Colorado has a significant number of distributors servicing its market. The state’s dynamic and diverse beverage landscape, coupled with its growing reputation for craft distilling, likely attracts a range of distributors catering to different segments of the market. With their help suppliers can gain access to these retail channels, enabling them to reach a wider audience of consumers.

In addition, distributors have in-depth knowledge of local market dynamics, consumer preferences, and trends in the Colorado alcohol industry. They can provide valuable insights and market intelligence to alcohol producers, helping them tailor their product offerings, marketing strategies, and pricing strategies to effectively target the Colorado market. Most distributors serve as ambassadors for the brands they represent, advocating for their products and building brand awareness among retailers and consumers. Some distributors even offer marketing and promotional support to suppliers, including advertising, point-of-sale materials, and co-op advertising programs.

Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the alcohol industry can be challenging, especially for small and emerging producers. The multifaceted web of state and federal alcohol regulations can be daunting for small businesses. Colorado distributors have expertise in navigating federal, state, and local regulations, ensuring that products are compliant with all legal requirements in Colorado.

Distilleries in Colorado must obtain various licenses and permits to operate legally. This includes a manufacturer’s license from the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division (LED) and federal permits from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). A distributor can help distilleries understand the licensing requirements, assist with the application process, and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before distributing products to retailers. There are also state and federal regulations regarding the labeling and packaging of alcoholic beverages. This includes requirements for accurate labeling of alcohol content, health warnings, and product origin. Distributors can provide guidance on compliance and ensure that all packaging meets legal requirements before products are distributed to retailers.

As with any business, distilleries are subject to various taxes and reporting requirements, including excise taxes on distilled spirits and sales taxes on retail sales. It will be important to navigate tax obligations, ensure timely payment of excise taxes, and assist with reporting requirements to federal and state authorities. By leveraging their expertise and resources, distributors can help distilleries navigate regulatory challenges and focus on producing high-quality spirits.

Efficiency in Logistics

Distributors handle warehousing, transportation, and inventory management, streamlining the supply chain and ensuring that products are delivered to retailers in a timely and efficient manner. This reduces the logistical burden on alcohol producers and allows them to focus on production and brand building.

Distributors typically maintain large warehouse facilities where they store inventory from multiple producers. By consolidating inventory in centralized locations, distributors can achieve economies of scale and optimize storage space. This allows them to efficiently manage inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and fulfill orders promptly. They use sophisticated logistics systems and software to manage incoming orders from retailers and plan delivery routes efficiently across Colorado. By aggregating orders from multiple customers and optimizing delivery schedules, distributors can minimize transportation costs, reduce delivery times, and maximize vehicle utilization.

Distributors utilize tracking and monitoring systems to provide real-time visibility into the status and location of deliveries. This allows retailers to track their orders, receive updates on delivery ETAs, and make informed decisions about inventory management and replenishment. They also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to transportation, storage, and handling of alcoholic beverages in Colorado. This includes adhering to temperature control regulations, maintaining proper licensing and permits, and following safety protocols to prevent spoilage, contamination, or theft.

By providing efficiency in logistics, distributors in the spirits industry in Colorado help to streamline the supply chain, reduce costs, improve service levels, and enhance overall operational performance for both suppliers and retailers. Their logistical expertise and infrastructure play a critical role in ensuring that spirits are delivered safely, reliably, and efficiently to consumers across the state.

Brand Development

Product and Brand development is another key growth metric for distillers

Distributors can play a significant role in helping with brand development through various strategies and initiatives. They often provide marketing and promotional support, helping to raise brand awareness and drive consumer demand through advertising, tastings, and events. This professional expertise can accelerate brand development and establish the distillery as a recognizable player in the market.

It is critical to have in-depth knowledge of the local market landscape, including consumer preferences, trends, and competitor analysis. Distributors provide valuable insights and market intelligence to spirits brands, helping them understand their target audience and identify opportunities for growth. They will work closely with spirits brands to develop effective brand positioning strategies that differentiate them from competitors and resonate with consumers. With their help suppliers are able to articulate their unique value proposition, story, and identity, positioning them for success in the marketplace.

Distributors offer marketing and promotional support to spirits brands through various channels, including advertising, point-of-sale materials, social media, and experiential marketing. They help brands create awareness, generate buzz, and drive demand through targeted marketing campaigns and activations. In addition, they will organize tasting events, brand activations, and promotional campaigns to showcase spirits brands to retailers, bartenders, influencers, and consumers. These events provide opportunities for brands to engage with their target audience, build brand loyalty, and drive trial and purchase. With the suppliers help, they will conduct product training sessions, tastings, and workshops to educate stakeholders about the brand’s history, production process, tasting notes, and serving suggestions.

Distributors work with retailers to ensure that spirits brands receive prominent shelf placement and optimal visibility in-store. They negotiate favorable placement and merchandising agreements, implement eye-catching displays and signage, and execute promotional programs to drive sales and increase brand visibility.

Overall, distributors play a vital role in helping alcohol producers penetrate the market in Colorado by providing access to retail channels, leveraging their market knowledge and expertise, representing brands effectively, offering marketing and promotional support, ensuring regulatory compliance, and streamlining logistics. Partnering with a distributor can significantly enhance a producer’s ability to succeed in the competitive Colorado alcohol industry.

Disadvantages of Hiring a Distributor:

Margin Compression

Distributors typically take a percentage of sales as their commission, reducing the distillery’s profit margins. This can erode profitability, especially for small-scale operations with limited economies of scale. Additionally, distributors may demand discounts or promotional allowances, further squeezing margins. The amount can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the distributor, the volume of sales, the type of product, and the terms of the distribution agreement.

The distributor’s commission effectively reduces the supplier’s margin on each sale. This reduction in margin can significantly impact on the supplier’s profitability, especially for smaller producers with limited economies of scale. Suppliers may need to adjust their pricing strategy to account for the distributor’s commission and maintain their desired margin. This could involve increasing the wholesale price to accommodate the distributor’s commission while remaining competitive in the market. However, higher prices could potentially impact sales volume and market demand.

Larger suppliers with higher sales volumes may be able to negotiate lower commission rates with liquor distributors, resulting in a smaller impact on their margin. Conversely, smaller suppliers with lower sales volumes may face higher commission rates, which can have a more significant impact on their margin. In addition, some distributors offer volume-based discounts or tiered commission structures based on sales volume. Suppliers that can achieve higher sales volumes may be able to negotiate more favorable commission rates or discounts with distributors, which can help mitigate the impact on their margin.

As for typical margins in the spirits industry, they can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of product, the distribution channel, the competitive landscape, and regional market conditions. However, as a general guideline, distributors’ margins in the spirits industry often range from 20% to 35% of the wholesale price. It’s important for suppliers to carefully consider the potential impact on their margin when deciding whether to hire a distributor and to negotiate favorable terms to protect their profitability. By carefully negotiating these terms, suppliers can minimize the impact on their margin and maximize the value they receive from the distributor’s services.

Dependency Risks

Relying heavily on a single distributor exposes the distillery to risks such as supplier consolidation, changes in distribution strategies, or disputes that could disrupt the supply chain or even lead to the termination of the partnership. If the distributor encounters financial difficulties, changes its business strategy, or fails to effectively represent the supplier’s products, it can significantly impact the supplier’s ability to reach customers and generate sales.

By exclusively using a distributor for distribution, suppliers may limit their access to alternative distribution channels such as direct-to-consumer sales, online platforms, specialty retailers, or on-premise accounts. This lack of diversification can increase dependency on the distributor and leave suppliers vulnerable to disruptions in the distribution chain. In addition, entrusting distribution to a third-party distributor means relinquishing some degree of control over how the brand is represented, marketed, and sold in the market. Suppliers may become dependent on the distributor to accurately convey their brand message, maintain brand integrity, and uphold quality standards, which can be risky if the distributor fails to meet expectations. Distilleries risk diluting their brand identity or compromising on quality if distributors prioritize other products or fail to uphold brand standards.

Dependency on a single distributor may limit the supplier’s exposure to different market segments, geographic regions, or consumer demographics. Suppliers may miss out on opportunities to expand into new markets, reach untapped customer segments, or capitalize on emerging trends if their distribution strategy is overly reliant on one distributor.

Limited Flexibility

Once a distribution agreement is in place, it can be challenging to modify or terminate the arrangement, particularly if the distillery encounters issues with the distributor’s performance or wants to pursue alternative distribution channels. This lack of flexibility can significantly impact a distillery’s ability to adapt and respond to changing market conditions. Distribution agreements typically entail long-term commitments between distilleries and distributors, often spanning several years. Once these agreements are in place, they can be difficult to modify or terminate without significant consequences. This lack of flexibility can constrain distilleries’ ability to adjust their distribution strategy in response to evolving market dynamics or shifts in business priorities.

If a distillery encounters performance issues with its distributor, such as poor sales performance, inadequate marketing support, or logistical challenges, it may be challenging to address these issues effectively within the confines of the distribution agreement. Distilleries may find themselves locked into contracts with underperforming distributors, unable to make changes or improvements to optimize distribution outcomes. The rigidity of distribution agreements can also hinder distilleries’ ability to explore alternative distribution channels or pursue new market opportunities. For example, if a distillery wants to experiment with direct-to-consumer sales, online retail platforms, or specialty distribution channels, it may face obstacles or resistance from existing distribution partners unwilling to relinquish exclusivity rights or modify contractual terms.

In a rapidly evolving market like the spirits industry in Colorado, where consumer preferences, distribution channels, and competitive dynamics are constantly shifting, lack of flexibility can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for innovation and growth. Distilleries that are unable to adapt their distribution strategy to capitalize on emerging trends or respond to competitive threats may find themselves at a disadvantage compared to more agile competitors.

Modifying or terminating distribution agreements prematurely can have legal and financial implications for both distilleries and distributors. Breaching contractual obligations or attempting to exit agreements prematurely may result in litigation, financial penalties, or damage to business relationships. Distilleries must carefully weigh the potential risks and consequences before seeking to modify or terminate distribution agreements.

Brand Dilution in the Colorado Craft Spirits Industry

Colorado craft spirits marketplace can learn a lesson from their “sister industry” or craft breweries. In a crowded marketplace, where numerous brands vie for attention, handing over distribution responsibilities to a distributor may result in the brand being lost in the shuffle. Without direct engagement with retailers and consumers, the distillery may struggle to differentiate itself and communicate its unique value proposition effectively. This can have significant implications for distilleries seeking to establish and maintain a strong brand presence in a competitive marketplace. Here’s an expanded explanation of this challenge:

When a distillery partners with a distributor, it relinquishes direct control over how its brand is represented and promoted in the market. Distributors serve as intermediaries between distilleries and retailers, handling sales, marketing, and distribution activities on behalf of multiple brands. This lack of direct engagement with retailers and consumers can result in a loss of brand visibility, as distilleries may struggle to communicate their unique value proposition effectively without direct interaction with key stakeholders. This can result in brand messaging being diluted or overshadowed by competing brands, making it challenging for distilleries to effectively communicate their unique attributes and value proposition.

Distributors may represent multiple brands within the same product category, leading to potential conflicts of interest and inconsistencies in brand messaging and positioning. Without direct oversight from the distillery, distributors may prioritize certain brands over others or promote products based on factors other than quality or brand alignment. This lack of brand consistency can erode consumer trust and loyalty, as consumers may become confused or disillusioned by mixed messaging and inconsistent branding.

Building brand equity requires consistent messaging, quality assurance, and positive brand experiences that resonate with consumers over time. However, when distribution responsibilities are outsourced to a distributor, distilleries may struggle to maintain the level of control and oversight necessary to build and sustain brand equity effectively. Without direct engagement with retailers and consumers, distilleries may find it challenging to foster brand loyalty and create meaningful connections with their target audience.

In a distribution-driven model, where distributors prioritize volume sales and market share over brand differentiation and quality, there is a risk of brands being commoditized and reduced to price-driven commodities. Without direct engagement with retailers and consumers to communicate their brand story, values, and craftsmanship, distilleries may find themselves competing solely on price, leading to downward pressure on margins and undermining the perceived value of their brand.

In weighing the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a distributor in the Colorado craft spirits market, distilleries must carefully assess their priorities, resources, and long-term strategic goals. While partnering with a distributor can offer valuable opportunities for market expansion and operational efficiencies, it also entails trade-offs in terms of control, margins, and flexibility. Ultimately, the decision should align with the distillery’s vision for growth, brand integrity, and sustainability in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Eric Selhorn

Eric Selhorn brings a wealth of expertise to the distillery industry, with almost 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, including six impactful years specifically within the distillery sector. Beginning his career at Deloitte, Eric earned his CPA, marking the start of a distinguished path that blends rigorous financial acumen with a deep passion for the distillery world. A native of Long Island, New York, Eric's educational journey led him to Boston College, where he graduated with concentrations in Accounting and Finance. Currently residing in Colorado, Eric embraces the outdoor lifestyle, finding balance and inspiration in hiking, running marathons, and competing in triathlons. This love for adventure and challenge mirrors his professional approach, where innovation, endurance, and strategic foresight are key. Eric's transition to the distillery industry was driven by a desire to apply his financial expertise to a field he is passionate about, underscoring the importance of sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship in distilling. His contributions have not only enhanced the financial health of the organizations he's been a part of but also fostered growth and excellence within the industry at large. For those looking to connect with Eric or learn more about his professional journey and insights into the distillery industry, he is available on LinkedIn. His profile offers a window into the blend of professional excellence and personal zeal that defines his career and contributions to the distillery sector.

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