Top-Selling Products of Record-Breaking Year at Asheville ABC
TL/DR –
Asheville’s liquor sales had a record-breaking year, grossing over $52 million, marking consistent annual increases for over a decade. The Asheville ABC Board, the sole retailer where area customers can purchase liquor, paid $4.6 million back to local municipalities from its sales in 2023. Despite rising gross sales, profit before distribution has slightly dropped due to increasing health insurance costs and pay raises for employees.
Record-Breaking Liquor Sales in Asheville Top $52 Million
Liquor sales in Asheville have reached a new high of $52 million, continuing a decade-long trend of annual increases. Despite a dip in mixed-beverage sales that saw a decline in liquor sold to bars and restaurants, retail sales skyrocketed at the onset of the pandemic.
The Asheville ABC Board, one of 171 municipal boards overseen by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and established in 1947, is the exclusive provider of liquor to local customers.
Of each dollar sold, 7.2 cents is distributed back to the local municipalities. In 2023, this amounted to $4.6 million, 75% of which goes to the city and 25% to Buncombe County, all of which goes into their general funds.
Despite the escalating gross sales, profit before distribution has decreased slightly—$6.5 million, versus $6.8 million in 2022, which Jason Thacker, operations manager with the Asheville ABC Board, attributes to growing health insurance costs and employee pay raises.
The trend of increasing sales comes with a change in customer behavior. Most customers are buying less expensive liquor in possibly higher quantities. Restaurants have reported that customers are opting for a single drink or not ordering at all, waiting for cheaper options at home.
Thacker attributes these changes to inflation and the rising costs of gas, groceries, and housing. Although alcohol prices haven’t risen significantly, the overall increase in the cost of living may have people tightening their belts.
Asheville’s Top Sellers and Biggest Sales Day
Despite these changes, Asheville ABC’s top sellers remain the same. As in previous years, the top of the list is Tito’s Handmade Vodka, with a retail price of $22.95 for 750 milliliters. In 2023, Asheville ABC sold 6,058 cases of Tito’s, equating to almost 73,000 bottles.
Historically, the day before Thanksgiving has been Asheville’s biggest day of retail sales. However, this year saw an unprecedented rush for the shelves on Dec. 23 due to the timing of Christmas, with record sales of $445,000 in a single day.
For more information, refer to the following articles: Asheville ABC profits means millions in revenues for city, county. But who gets what? and Celebrating New Year’s Eve 2023: Lots of activities to ring in the new year.
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