Boston Q1 Depletions Fall 7%, Shipments Down 25%; But Truly Vodka Seltzer Comin’

Dear Client:  Well, we knew it was going to be a tough first quarter for Boston. In its Q4 earnings report delivered two months back, which saw depletions up 15% and shipments down 25%, Boston prepped people for a tough Q1, noting that right-sizing distrib inventories would likely mean negative Q1 shipments (though a rebound in Q2). Moreover, sobering YTD trends at that point signaled depletion deceleration as well. And now, Boston had indeed delivered both negative depletions and shipments