Beverage Distribution/Wine Distributor

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Expert: - 7/8/2010


Question
I have wine labeled in a pretty unique fashion - its targeted now at golf tournament sales but am struggling to find a distributor for a niche wine - I think it would do well in golf heavy areas as gift wines. Is it expensive to become a licensed distributor, even if I only want to retail my wine only?

www.crookedputter.com

Answer
Ian,

I hate to burst the bubble, but for anything that is organized and established, the organizers tend to be savvy and know that they can demand a bit for the opportunity to ply one's wares.  Just look at the sporting goods manufacturers.  As you would be "gravy" to them, there's little need for these organizers to give you a fair price from which you could earn a profit.

I'm not sure though if you're talking about a license to sell wine to shops, or to be a "shop" that moves from place to place.  The rules and costs depend upon where you are.   And to simply test an idea, you might re-consider tying up with somebody with the permits to do such.  If you go through say the local "catering" at the golf shop that doubtlessly permits alcohol resale.

Eric

Beverage Distribution

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Eric Hofer

Expertise

Over 27 years experience, with 17 in international FMCG in back office operations and in field sales and data collection, including design, development and deployment of Handhelds, Marketing Equipment (Service, Tracking and Return on Investment), reporting and Vending management. Have participated on the launch of operations in new markets, and re-engineered the back office in several countries.

Experience

Designed and led the development and deployment internal ERP system for Pepsi used in On-Premise/Vending in 13 markets. Designed 2 handheld systems, the latest is now deployed in 4 markets internationally. Re-engineered the back office functions (settlements, despatch, invoicing, credit control, etc) for over 20 snack, confectionary and beverage operators. Developing software: Progress, VB, Access, C, Sybase, SA

Organizations
Innovative-Selling Solutions; SalesSuite

Publications
BudapestSun

Education/Credentials
State University of New York - BA Economics NYU - Courant - Graduate work - Computing

Awards and Honors
Moderator of LinkedIn CEE Group

Past/Present Clients
PepsiAmericas PepsiCola International PepsiCola Company British Steel British Telecom Britvic (Pepsi's bottler in the UK) AT&T BellSouth Mars Overseas Bottling Pepsi France Matutano (Frito-Lay Spain) Frito-Lay Pepsi Foods International Chase Manhattan Bank Kidder Peabody National Power SmithKline Beecham Mars Overseas Bottling (Pepsi Azerbaijan) A&P Bottling (Pepsi Serbia & Montenegro) Iberia Bottlers (Pepsi Georgia)

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