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Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US - Market Research Report (2016-2031)

Christopher Lombardo Christopher Lombardo New York, United States Last Updated: February 2026 NAICS 44531

Revenue

$80.8bn

2026

$80.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

213k

Businesses

44,401

Wages

$X.Xbn

Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US industry analysis

Beer, wine and liquor retailers encountered a fundamental reset over the five years to 2025, settling into a landscape very different from the post-pandemic recovery many initially expected. Retailers have watched demand fragment as new channels and consumer behaviors have taken hold, with alcohol-to-go, digital ordering, and a rapid on-premise rebound redistributing revenue that once reliably flowed to traditional retail. In turn, the number of competing establishments has swelled, giving shoppers more choice but also forcing operators to scramble for thinner slices of a stagnant or even shrinking revenue pie. The push to invest in omnichannel convenience, broader assortments and flexible formats has kept stores in the game, but it’s also left profit growth increasingly tethered to execution rather than pure expansion. Revenue has been sinking at a CAGR of 1.4% over the past five years, reversing course and climbing 1.1% in 2026 to total $80.8 billion. 

Trends and Insights

  • Channel innovation is redefining liquor store competition. As alcohol-to-go, omnichannel ordering and e-commerce reshape consumer habits, traditional retailers are fighting harder to stay relevant—yet thin profit and diluted revenues make category leadership anything but guaranteed.
  • Spirits continue to power liquor store sales, fueled by “attainable premium” trends. Shoppers may be easing off ultra-premium splurges, but they’re still gravitating toward quality tequila, whiskey and ready-to-drink cocktails that hit a sweet spot between indulgence and value.
  • The Mid-Atlantic's population density and favorable regulations bolster its alcohol retail scene. Urban areas like New York and New Jersey support a vibrant market, prompting diverse product offerings to cater to the region's cultural mosaic.
  • Supermarkets are cutting into the alcohol retail market by offering convenient one-stop shopping experiences with competitive pricing. As licensing laws ease, these stores can expand their alcohol selection, challenging traditional liquor stores to innovate and retain customers.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $80.8bn in 2026.

Trends and Insights

Channel innovation and off-premise growth redistribute revenue and cap expansion

  • In recent years, the landscape has shifted as on-premise recovery, alcohol-to-go laws and the rise in alcohol e-commerce have divided at-home occasions among bars, restaurants and retail outlets. Revenue dips sharply in 2022 (-6.7%) and stays below peak as an influx of new channels parcels out demand that once centered on liquor stores.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US
Revenue (2016-2031)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2026-2031)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Future industry growth will hinge on retention and spend per drinker

  • Between 2027 and 2031, industry revenue is set to climb slowly—from $81.8 billion to $85.5 billion—tracking with an anticipated annual gain of just over 1%. Profit are expected to remain steady, inching up from 3.6% to 3.7% as top-line expansion slows further.

Biggest companies in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2026
Revenue ($m)
2026
Profit ($m)
2026
Profit Margin (%)
2026
Total Wine and More
7,487.3
268.4
3.6
Yankee Spirits
387.9
11.2
2.9
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
373.1
12.3
3.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 11 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Spirits, Wine and Beer. Spirits is the largest segment of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US.

Trends and Insights

Spirits remain the sales engine as premiumization evolves and RTDs surge

  • In 2026, spirits generate 48.5% of liquor store revenue, holding the top spot even as consumer preferences diversify. The segment’s resilience is anchored by tequila and American whiskey, both of which have seen sustained demand—especially as shoppers still lean into premium brands, despite economic headwinds curbing ultra-premium growth.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry include retail stores specifically licensed to sell packaged alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and liquor, for off-premises consumption.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States include Beer, Wine, Spirits, Tobacco products, Snacks and Soft drinks.

Companies

Companies covered in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States include Total Wine and More, Yankee Spirits and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

Purchase this report to view all 11 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States include alcoholic beverages, on-premises, off-premises and mom-and-pop store.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 44531 - Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Channel innovation is redefining liquor store competition. As alcohol-to-go, omnichannel ordering and e-commerce reshape consumer habits, traditional retailers are fighting h...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
  • Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Spirits continue to power liquor store sales, fueled by “attainable premium” trends. Shoppers may be easing off ultra-premium splurges, but they’re still gravitating toward q...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2026
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2026
  • Major market segmentation in 2026

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Mid-Atlantic's population density and favorable regulations bolster its alcohol retail scene. Urban areas like New York and New Jersey support a vibrant market, prompting...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2026

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Supermarkets are cutting into the alcohol retail market by offering convenient one-stop shopping experiences with competitive pricing. As licensing laws ease, these stores ca...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Total Wine aggressively expands its footprint through data-driven, targeted store openings in affluent areas. This strategic approach doesn't just boost its store count—it al...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
  • Overview of Total Wine and More's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
  • Overview of Yankee Spirits's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
  • Overview of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 8 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Total Wine and More, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Yankee Spirits, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 8 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

State regulations create a complex operational environment for liquor store owners. Each state has distinct laws affecting distribution, pricing and product variety, complica...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit pressure sparks smarter spending in a competitive market. As pricing power fades and shoppers chase deals, retailers are doubling down on analytics, curated assortment...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
  • Income Statement (2019-2024)
  • Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2019-2024)
  • Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
  • Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • Average Wage (2016-2031)
  • Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
  • IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
  • Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
  • Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2016-2031)
  • IVA (2016-2031)
  • Establishments (2016-2031)
  • Enterprises (2016-2031)
  • Employment (2016-2031)
  • Exports (2016-2031)
  • Imports (2016-2031)
  • Wages (2016-2031)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States in 2026?

The market size of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States is $80.8bn in 2026.

How many businesses are there in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States in 2026?

There are 44,401 businesses in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2021 and 2026.

How may import tariffs affect the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States?

The Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States?

The Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

Has the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States has been declining at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2021 and 2026.

What is the forecast growth of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States are Total Wine and More, Yankee Spirits and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits

What does the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States include?

Beer and Wine are part of the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States?

The company holding the most market share in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States is Total Wine and More.

How competitive is the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores industry in the United States.

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

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