Minibar Delivery CEO Lindsey Andrews discusses the explosion of alcohol e-commerce in 2020, driven by a 500% surge in new customers and increased demand from liquor stores to join their platform. She shares Minibar's strategies for managing rapid growth, expanding into new states and cities, and onboarding more retail partners. Andrews remains bullish on the long-term potential of alcohol e-commerce, citing significant "whitespace" and a lasting shift in consumer behavior towards delivery.
Key takeaways
The pandemic created a lasting
consumer muscle" for alcohol delivery, making it a sticky habit even as physical stores reopen.
E-commerce platforms in regulated industries like alcohol must prioritize rapid onboarding for new retail partners to capitalize on sudden demand surges.
Expanding geographically in regulated markets requires a dual approach of on-demand services (18 states) and broader shipping services (40 states) to navigate varied state laws.
Significant "whitespace" remains in the alcohol e-commerce sector, indicating ample opportunity for new entrants and continued growth for existing players.
Success in alcohol e-commerce hinges on fostering strong relationships with local brick-and-mortar retailers, integrating them into the digital supply chain rather than bypassing them.
E-commerce saw unprecedented gains in 2020, especially in areas like alcohol that historically relied on in-store sales.
Indeed, Minibar Delivery -- a platform whose name aptly describes its services -- saw a 500% increase of new customers in March and April of last year. Now, the company is trying to keep growth apace while adding more cities and liquor store partners to its roster.
CEO and co-founder Lindsey Andrews joined the Modern Retail Podcast this week and talked about Minibar’s trajectory.
Right now, Minibar is available in 18 different states with its on-demand delivery offering. It also has a shipping service up and running in 40 states too. In 2020, said Andrews, “a flip was switched and things went crazy.” It wasn’t just more customers seeking out delivered booze either; “We did see a massive spike in new stores wanting to get on the platform -- and we tried to move as fast as possible to help them do that.”
With that, the last year has been about keeping up with the demand. Now, Andrews says Minibar is looking toward the future. That includes onboarding more retail partners, as well as seeking out new cities to expand to.
Even with stores reopening and more people going back out, Andrews thinks consumers have built up a new muscle around this kind of delivery. “I’m 100% bullish on the category,” she said. “I think there’s tons of whitespace and room to grow.”
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
consumer muscle" for alcohol delivery, making it a sticky habit even as physical stores reopen.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
E-commerce platforms in regulated industries like alcohol must prioritize rapid onboarding for new retail partners to capitalize on sudden demand surges.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Expanding geographically in regulated markets requires a dual approach of on-demand services (18 states) and broader shipping services (40 states) to navigate varied state laws.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Significant "whitespace" remains in the alcohol e-commerce sector, indicating ample opportunity for new entrants and continued growth for existing players.
