On-Premise Slowdown May Not Be What it Seems

Food and beverage sales in the off-premise channel grew by 3.2% for the rolling 12 months through February, according to BW166's most recent report. Alcohol sales--which represent about 15% of the larger category--showed marginally slower growth of 2.4% during the same period.Breaking it down by category, spirits sales were up by 2.9%, wine was up 2.4% and beer was up 2.2% for the period. In addition, the average price for each package purchased in the off-premise increased; the price for