Brewing Success: Software Essentials For Beverage Companies
Uncover the software for beverage company success with Accelpay, exploring tools for inventory, e-commerce, CRM, and analytics in the beverage industry
As the holidays approach, expect an influx of gift purchases across the next few months — an annual event that’ll only be heightened by the post-COVID e-commerce shopping boom.
Even more so, broader delays in global supply chains are trickling down to affect availability and shipping for e-commerce brands across all segments. Our recommendation? Beat this year’s slowdown by getting a head start on your seasonal campaigns, promotions, and more.
We’ve laid out four steps below that every alcohol brand should take to beat the annual gift rush, while also maximizing the profitability and potential of this concentrated shopping period.
Step One: Time Blocking
First, you can start building out a major messaging campaign by looking ahead on your calendar and selecting key dates to lay out a time frame from early November up until Christmas.
Specifically, we recommend blocking out three primary phases for your campaign delivery.
Pre-Black Friday
By pushing messaging campaigns out as early as mid-November, you’re gearing folks up for the holiday season around the corner, as well as letting potential buyers know to keep an eye out for a promotion in the works.
More importantly, you’re setting your brand up to start the season on a strong note — and to not get caught unprepared by the sudden arrival of Thanksgiving crunchtime.
Thanksgiving & Late November
From Thanksgiving onward, particularly that first weekend including Black Friday, you’ll want to host and advertise some kind of actionable event, i.e. a special release or promotional discount, to jumpstart customers into their seasonal shopping cycles.
Cutoffs for Christmas
Finally, you’ll want to round out the season by selecting a cutoff date for placing new orders.
Seven to 10 days before December 25th is a safe bet for buyers to receive a bottle at their door by Christmas Day, and reminders should be sent out in the days leading up to this cutoff.
In terms of the broader time crunch that’s anticipated due to global supply chain slowdowns, you should emphasize the convenience of purchasing from a domestic brand paired with the reliability that you offer for a timely, safe delivery of your product.
Step Two: Spice Up Your Specials
Once you’ve laid the initial groundwork, it’s time to elevate your campaign by crafting it into something creative and exciting for the spirit of the season.
In other words, your buyer’s inbox may be flooded by holiday deals, but you can capture their attention and help them recognize the thoughtfulness through your core brand messaging.
For instance, Far North Spirits is offering a holiday two-pack for drinks that’ll warm you up in the colder months. Imagine a whiskey, rye, or bourbon for your spicy cocktail or mulled wine.
Ultimately, you’re working with the inventory you have and considering which themed products can play into people’s holiday spirit — even better if it’s in a bundle to boost your AOV.
On the other hand, this period offers a practical opportunity to look back at the year’s releases and offload any remaining inventory through a unique discount or exclusive holiday promo.
Step Three: Ramp Up Your Promotion Game
Next, consider the tactical logistics of your promotions. After all, it can be tricky to time promo launches, depending on whether your customer pool skews toward early or late gift grabbers.
There are two general approaches you can take: 1) offering enticing deals early on to preempt other sales or 2) holding off until late in the buyer’s window to pull the trigger on your promo.
The former can snag early shoppers, or at least convince late shoppers to try an early purchase, but could also lose its appeal by mid-December when fresher deals are dropping every day.
The latter can appeal to buyers who play the long game and wait it out for the most optimal deal, but can still ultimately result in you losing out on early or average shoppers.
Ultimately, there’s no gold-standard method and you’ll need to use your judgement depending on what aligns with your brand’s target demographic, metric goalposts, and even inventory.
For instance, returning to your campaign calendar, you can skew discounts away from marking down products and toward offering cheaper, faster shipping as Christmas creeps closer.
Step Four: Email Marketing On Deck
As we pointed out in our advice for email marketing, setting up your email flow so your comms can run seamlessly is a simple yet essential step of the process that’s easily overlooked.
We recommend starting with a quick info sweep: pull last year’s seasonal purchase data and make sure that customer cohort is consistently re-engaged early on.
In turn, your team won’t be stressed out and frantically attempt to piece together the perfect layout in MailChimp just a few days before Thanksgiving — which circles back to our larger point: the holidays are a time of year with promise of high ROI for your alcohol brand.
You can utilize this opportunity to the max by planning thoroughly and creatively, not stressfully executing a last minute, makeshift campaign.
If your brand has these moving parts staged within the first weeks of November, you should be ready to hook the earliest seasonal shoppers and take full advantage of the holiday rush.
Sit Back and Enjoy the Holidays!
Once you’ve got these steps locked in — a killer campaign calendar, creative promos, and ready-to-launch email marketing — you’ll be the one leading the holiday rush, not falling behind.
Whether your user base is composed of individuals shopping for friends and family or corporate customers with high-volume needs, Accelpay is the platform of choice for your alcohol brand.
To get access to our instant storefront setup and stress-free bulk ordering, get started here.
In the modern beverage industry, leveraging the right software solutions is not a choice but a necessity. The automation and efficiency brought about by various software solutions are instrumental in managing operations seamlessly and meeting customer demands proficiently. This post will delve into the essential software tools that are indispensable for achieving operational excellence and brewing success in the beverage industry.
Inventory Management
Real-time Inventory Tracking
One of the core aspects of successful beverage operations is efficient inventory management. Real-time inventory tracking software provides an immediate view of stock levels, enabling timely replenishment and ensuring product availability. It's vital to have a robust system to monitor stock levels to avoid overstocking or understocking, both of which could have detrimental effects on the finances and reputation of the beverage company.
Demand Forecasting
Demand forecasting software is a game-changer in planning for sales and managing inventory. By accurately predicting sales trends, it enables better planning for peak seasons and ensures that the right amount of product is available to meet customer demand. Effective demand forecasting is the backbone of achieving a balance between inventory costs and customer satisfaction, ensuring that the resources are aptly utilized.
E-commerce Platforms
Selecting a Suitable Platform
The digital marketplace is a significant revenue stream for beverage companies. Selecting a suitable alcohol ecommerce platform software is crucial for online success. The platform should have features that cater to the unique needs of alcohol sales, such as age verification, compliance monitoring, and efficient order processing. Comparing popular platforms and evaluating their features against the requirements of the beverage company can lead to a more informed decision.
Online Sales and Age Verification
Online sales come with the imperative requirement of age verification to ensure legal compliance. Implementing age verification software is a fundamental step in adhering to the legal framework governing alcohol sales. It not only safeguards the company against legal repercussions but also builds trust with consumers, portraying the brand as responsible and compliant.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Building Customer Profiles
Understanding your customers is the cornerstone of building lasting relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction. Beverage company CRM software facilitates the collection of customer data, building comprehensive profiles that provide insights into customer preferences and buying behavior. This data is invaluable in tailoring marketing strategies and improving product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the customer base.
Engaging with Customers
Engagement is key to building a loyal customer base. Utilizing digital marketing software for targeted email marketing campaigns and social media engagement can significantly enhance the brand's relationship with its customers. Personalized interactions, timely updates, and responsive customer service are aspects that can set a brand apart in the competitive beverage market.
Production Management Software
Production Scheduling
In the fast-paced beverage industry, having a well-structured production schedule is key to meeting demand. Production scheduling software helps in planning production cycles efficiently, ensuring timely deliveries, and optimizing the use of resources. This aspect of alcohol brand management software is vital for maintaining a steady supply chain and meeting the expectations of distributors and end consumers alike.
Quality Control
Quality is a hallmark of reputable beverage brands. Utilizing beverage production management software for monitoring production standards and addressing quality issues promptly is indispensable. It ensures that the beverages produced meet the stringent quality standards, thereby upholding the brand’s reputation and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Supply Chain and Distribution
Supply Chain Management Software
A well-oiled supply chain is crucial for the seamless operation of beverage companies. Supply chain management software aids in efficient vendor management, order processing, and tracking the movement of goods from production to distribution. This software is pivotal in minimizing delays, reducing operational costs, and ensuring the timely availability of products in the market.
Distribution Logistics
The journey of beverages from the production facility to the retailer or consumer needs meticulous planning. Distribution logistics software assists in route planning and delivery tracking, ensuring that the products reach their destination in the most efficient manner. The utility of alcohol distribution software in enhancing delivery efficiency and reducing logistical hurdles cannot be overstated.
Financial Software Solutions
Budgeting and Forecasting
Accurate budgeting and forecasting are crucial for the financial stability and growth of beverage companies. Software solutions that aid in planning financial resources, anticipating revenue, and managing expenses are essential for making informed financial decisions. They provide a clear financial outlook, enabling better resource allocation and financial management.
Accounting and Reporting
Tracking financial transactions and generating accurate financial reports is simplified with the right software. It not only ensures that the financial data is correct but also aids in analyzing the financial health of the company. The insights derived from financial reports are invaluable for stakeholders to make data-driven decisions.
Data Analytics and Reporting
Performance Metrics
Identifying and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) is simplified with data analytics software. It provides a clear picture of business performance, highlighting areas of strength and those requiring improvement. The ability to track performance metrics in real-time is fundamental for making timely adjustments to business strategies.
Data-Driven Decision Making
In a competitive market, making informed, data-driven decisions is a necessity. Analyzing sales data and other operational metrics with the help of software can significantly improve operational efficiency. It empowers beverage companies to adapt to market trends swiftly and keep ahead of the competition.
Security and Compliance
Data Security Measures
With an increasing amount of business conducted digitally, protecting sensitive information is paramount. Implementing robust data security measures ensures that critical business and customer data remains protected from unauthorized access and cyber threats. It also reinforces the trust between the brand and its stakeholders.
Auditing and Compliance Tools
Ensuring regulatory compliance and being audit-ready is less daunting with the right auditing and compliance tools. These tools assist in monitoring for compliance with industry standards and legal requirements, making the audit process smoother and less stressful.
Software solutions are no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern beverage companies aiming for operational excellence. The array of software tools discussed provides a comprehensive approach towards managing various facets of a beverage business. Investing in the right mix of software solutions covering inventory, ecommerce, CRM, production, supply chain, financial management, data analytics, and security is a strategic move towards brewing success in the competitive beverage industry landscape. By embracing these software essentials, beverage companies are well-poised to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and foster stronger relationships with their customers, all contributing to the long-term success and growth of the brand.
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Braxton Freeman
Grolsch
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