Ohio Liquor Sales Top $1 Billion in 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sales of spirituous liquor in Ohio hit a record in Ohio last year, totaling $1.018 billion, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control reports. Total dollar sales of spirits were up from 2014’s total by 7.34%, or $70 million.

“Today’s consumers are seeking quality over quantity and buying more premium priced products than ever before,” said Jacqueline T. Williams, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, which oversees ODLC. “This practice of ‘trading up’ helped achieve record dollar sales without encouraging increased consumption.”

Retail dollar sales totaled $731 million, an increase of 8%. Wholesale dollar sales (liquor purchased by retail permit holders such as restaurants, bars and clubs) totaled $287.1 million, an increase of 5.5%.

“The increase in wholesale indicates positive growth and a strong Ohio economy as Ohioans are patronizing restaurants and other entertainment businesses,” Williams observes.

Dollar sales continued to grow at a higher rate than consumption in 2015. The total volume of spirituous liquor sold through the 466 contract liquor agencies in Ohio was 13 million gallons, an increase of 3.9% over the previous year.

The top 10 selling brands of spirituous liquor by gallons sold last year in Ohiofare:

1. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey – 379,492 gallons.
2. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey – 298,406 gallons.
3. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey – 291,609 gallons.
4. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – 288,676 gallons.
5. Bacardi Superior Light Rum – 287,901 gallons.
6. Smirnoff Vodka – 283,801 gallons.
7. Absolut Vodka – 272,521 gallons.
8. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey – 266,670 gallons.
9. Tito’s Handmade Vodka – 259,328 gallons.
10. Kamchatka Vodka – 250,578 gallons.

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

SOURCE: Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.