Market Watch November 2022

As we move into the final chapters of calendar year 2022, the biggest challenge to the holiday season clearly is the supply chain issue. The demand is out there, but will retailers get the goods they need to satisfy it? Producers, importers, and transport firms have been jumping through hoops to make it happen, and while problems for some items will likely persist, for the most part the products appear to be reaching the shelves. Our holiday coverage begins with our New Products section on Page 15, and continues with our annual roundup feature on Page 78. It was all smiles at our annual LEADERS Awards banquet in New York City on September 29, as our 2022 Retailer of the Year, Curtis Mann of Albertsons Cos., was joined by eight…

FTC Takes Action Against Drizly….The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month announced plans to hold Drizly accountable for a 2020 data leak that exposed the information of up to 2.5 million consumers. Under the FTC proposal, Drizly and CEO Cory Rellas would be required to delete unneeded consumer data, while issuing a report to the FTC on what is deleted, and to restrict the data the company can collect and retain moving forward. Drizly and Rellas must also implement an information security program to protect Drizly’s consumers. The security stipulations would follow Rellas to new positions beyond Drizly, which was acquired by Uber for $1.1 billion last year. According to the FTC, “Rellas will be required to implement an information security program at future companies if he moves to a…

Miami: Argentine Venue Makes U.S. Debut Following its success in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Latino Hospitality Group opened the first American location of its Italica restaurant concept in early October in Miami. The venue in Miami’s Midtown neighborhood offers a Latin American twist on Italian culture, complete with a Spritz bar that lists several versions of the classic Italian sparkling drink, as well as other cocktails and a full roster of vermouths, wines, and beers. Italica Miami serves a classic Spritz made with Aperol, Gambino Prosecco, and soda, as well as the Il Floreale, blending Kirinzan Classic sake and St-Germain liqueur with Gambino Prosecco, and the Fruttato, mixing Santa Teresa 1796 rum, Aperol, Villa d’Adige Pinot Grigio, passion fruit syrup, and pineapple juice (Spritzes are $15-$16). The bar’s other drinks include…

Glenfiddich 12-year-old Sherry Cask Finish William Grant & Sons has announced a new addition to Glenfiddich’s core whiskies, a 12-year-old single malt finished in Sherry casks. The 43% abv whisky ($55 a 750-ml.) is first matured in American and European oak before being transferred to Amontillado Sherry casks for finishing. While the whisky is now part of brand’s core offerings, it’s rolling out in limited markets at first, hitting shelves in California and Florida. In addition, William Grant has teamed up with e-commerce facilitator Thirstie to launch dedicated online stores for Glenfiddich and the Balvenie. Consumers are able to order whiskies directly through the websites and orders are fulfilled by partnered liquor stores in the buyer’s area. For more information, visit Glenfiddich.com. The GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 11 Brown-Forman has announced…

Originally from Mexico, Lucia Corichi cares deeply about honoring cultures through food and beverage. “Hospitality, in the sense of large communal dinner tables, big families, and storytelling, has been with me since birth,” she says. “That cemented my drive to go to culinary school after graduating high school in the U.S.” While attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York City, Corichi interned at The Modern, the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art, and upon graduating she planned to start a job there in the kitchen. “But while at CIA, my front-of-house professor planted a seed in me that just couldn’t be stopped, so I asked if there was a front-of-house position open and there was—as a bar back,” she says. “I took it, not really…

Whether bitter or sweet, sharp or smooth, the wide flavor range of products that fall under the cordials and liqueurs umbrella can transform cocktails or, in some cases, be consumed on their own. “Coming out of Covid-19 lockdowns, everybody had experimented with cocktails at home, creating their own cocktails and exploring new flavors,” says Brett Dunne, managing director of the United States and Canada for Lucas Bols. “We’ve seen that continue over the last 18 months as the on-premise returns.” Annie Borgerding, director of marketing for Brooklyn-based Back Bar Project, which imports the Giffard liqueur line, says Giffard also received a pandemic bump that has yet to subside. “Ever since the pandemic, everything has been going well,” she says. “Our sales are through the roof this year.” Standouts in the…