Today's wine and spirits wholesalers do much more than extend credit to retailers, provide rapid frequent deliveries and willingly split cases to accommodate small orders. They are an integral part of the selling process. They also help organize special events at bars and restaurants, develop special advertising and promotional programs to complement local events and act as the local representative for vintners and distillers. For retailers, wholesalers often stocks shelves, use sophisticated computer programs to develop optimum shelf placements for brands and types of alcohol, and help store operators conduct wine tastings. Wholesalers also coordinate tasting seminars for restauranteurs and retailers to introduce them to new products coming into their market.
Many wholesalers distribute beer, bottled water, and other beverages.
However, wine and liquor distribution is their primary business focus. WSWA's Membership Roster and Industry Directory lists all WSWA wholesale member firms, their key executives and contact information including fax and e-mail addresses. 42 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. There are hundreds more specialty distributors that handle boutique wineries, liquors, and the like. The number of full-line, major wholesalers is decreasing in most states as the wine and liquor industries, like many other mature commodity lines, consolidate.