Ohio Liquor Sales Top $949 Million in 2014

Thursday, February 12, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Dollar sales of spirituous liquor reached a record level in 2014 totaling $949 million. This was an increase of 5.6% and exceeded last year’s total by $50 million, reports the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

Ohio customers are trading up and buying more premium items, increasing dollar sales without significantly increasing consumption, the agency said. Sales of premium and super premium priced products dominated 2014, combining for approximately 60% of total dollar sales.

Retail dollar sales were strong in 2014, totaling $677 million, an increase of 6.6%. Wholesale dollar sales -- spirituous liquor purchased by retail permit holders such as restaurants, bars and clubs --also showed strong growth totaling $272 million, an increase of 3.1% over last year.

Dollar sales continued to grow at a higher rate than consumption in 2014. A total of 12.6 million gallons of spirituous liquor was sold in 2014, a 3% increase over the 12.3 million gallons sold in 2013, the agency said.

The following were the top 10 selling brands of spirituous liquor in Ohio for 2014 (by gallons sold):

1. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey – 364,060 gallons.
2. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey – 292,772 gallons.
3. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – 278,535 gallons.
4. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey – 277,171 gallons.
5. Absolut Vodka – 272,987 gallons.
6. Bacardi Superior Light Rum – 271,429 gallons.
7. Smirnoff Vodka – 262,461 gallons.
8. Kamchatka Vodka – 261,149 gallons.
9. Jagermeister – 235,016 gallons.
10. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey – 228,024 gallons.

Spirituous liquor is defined as intoxicating liquor containing more than 21% alcohol by volume.

SOURCE: Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

Copyright 2015 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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