2nd Annual DtC Spirits Shipping Report Sees Rise in Consumer Demand

Sovos ShipCompliant recently released its second annual Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, in partnership with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). In just its second year, the report shows consumer demand for DtC spirits shipping is on the rise, with 87% of regular craft spirits drinkers saying they want to be able to legally purchase craft spirits via DtC shipping — up from 80% in 2022. The report also features in-depth analysis of the craft spirits direct-to-consumer (DtC) channel through a consumer poll, as well as ACSA’s perspective on how the market can continue to make strides.

Key highlights from the 2023 DtC Spirits Shipping Report

Here are five key takeaways from the report that show the current – and potential future – state of the DtC craft spirits shipping channel.

• The majority (82%) of regular craft spirits drinkers said that U.S. laws should be updated to legalize DtC spirits shipping in more states. This is a slight uptick from the 79% who said the same in 2022.
• Still just eight states and Washington, D.C. permit interstate DtC spirits shipping – compared to the 47 states and Washington, D.C. that allow the same for wine.
• Four in five regular craft spirits drinkers (80%) say they are likely to purchase craft spirits via DtC in the future — an increase from 73% in 2022.
• On average, regular craft spirits drinkers who are likely to purchase craft spirits via DtC said they are willing to pay about $114 each month — adding up to about $1,369 each year.
• Approximately three quarters of regular craft spirits drinkers (72%) say they would be likely to share or post about that distillery on social media — free advertising that has the potential to reach a wide audience.

The tug of war continues

For the second year in a row, the Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report shows that consumers are interested in DtC spirits shipping. Specifically, 86% said they would be likely to try a new spirit from a distillery or purchase from a distillery more frequently (82%) if DtC shipping were offered. Furthermore, 75% said they would be likely to sign up for a distillery’s subscription club if DtC shipping of products was an option. However, there have been no official regulation changes. While several states made moves to push DtC shipping laws forward, there are still only eight states – and Washington, D.C. – that allow for spirits to arrive on your doorstep.

It’s time for the industry to take the next step in expanding DtC spirits shipping permissions. With multiple states working to meet consumer demand, it’s time for law makers and others to make efforts toward the same goal. Currently there are more than 122,000 spirits brands in the U.S., while between 13,000 and 16,000 new spirits brand registrations have been approved by the TTB over the past few years. The product is there, the demand is there – it’s time to implement safe and regulated options to bring the two together.

Consumer Survey Methodology

These surveys were conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Sovos ShipCompliant from August 21-23, 2023 among 2,017 adults ages 21+, among whom 598 drink craft spirits/liquor at least once per month.