The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact On The Liquor Store Industry In Massachusetts

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Boston, MA : Liquor License Advisor notes a significant demand for local liquor stores as buyers identify industry as “recession proof” while liquor sales increase during COVID-19.

Liquor License Advisor has the unique ability to see industry trends after having done over 1300 transactions over the years and more than 35 in the past 12 months.One of those recent trends is smart investors and buyers have recognized the value of the liquor store business. Nielson reported U.S. sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in the week ending March 21. With government officials declaring liquor stores essential businesses, New York Post reported the stay-at-home orders resulted in many stockpiling alcohol and even online sales spiked to 243%.

“With the value of liquor stores viewed at a premium at this time, coupled with the threat looming over the ballot question on the liquor license quotas in Massachusetts, many liquor store owners who are near retirement, have been in the business for more than a decade or who just want to capitalize on the current demand – they are calling us to take stock of their options to sell today,” says Dan Newcomb, Liquor License Advisor Founder and CEO. “We are seeing family businesses who have been around for generations getting out because the industry is changing and it’s not what it used to be in their eyes.”

With what may be a “changing of guards” in the liquor store industry, having big-box stores in the game has made it much more competitive while shrinking margins for smaller retailers. Also, given the popularity of online ordering and delivery as well as direct to consumer subscription-based alcohol offerings, it seems the rules of the game may be changing as well as the distribution pattern (Forbes).

Newcomb says, “If owners were thinking of selling in the next 2-5 years, they should definitely consider moving up their timeline to find a way out at the top of the market that will leverage the current uptick in sales volume and the peaked interest of numerous pre-qualified buyers looking to invest now.”

About Liquor License Advisor: Liquor License Advisor is a liquor license and liquor store broker who assists restaurant owners, bars, liquor store owners and others to buy or sell their liquor license. The Founder, Dan Newcomb has literally grown up in the industry as his experience goes back to his childhood days when his Father grew the family restaurant to a chain of 26 total restaurants in the Boston area.

Liquor License Advisor is a dedicated member of The Massachusetts Package Stores Association, The National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals, National Restaurant Association and Massachusetts Restaurant Association. For more information on Liquor License Advisor, visit the website: www.LiquorLicenseAdvisor.com.