By Cheryl Durzy, Founder & CEO, LibDib From my desk here at LibDib, the recent closure of Drizly has been a topic of both professional and personal contemplation. Drizly wasn't just another tech startup; it was a pioneer in the compliant delivery of alcohol, blending innovative tech with a flair for irreverent marketing—exactly what the beverage industry needed back in 2015. Despite its downfall, partly hastened by a significant data breach, I have only respect for what Drizly achieved and for its team, some of whom I've been fortunate enough to know personally. In fact, one of the Drizly founders reached out to me within days of LibDib's launch. We discussed potential synergies, shared visions and experiences that highlighted the power of innovation in our field. Later, during the pandemic, we even exchanged town hall meetings and company swag, fostering a spirit of camaraderie. These interactions are cherished memories now (along with my Drizly hoodie), especial

LibDib is growing fast! We are now in 12 markets and there is no stopping us. Via our own distribution licenses and our partnership with RNDC, LibDib has brought our unique platform-based distribution model to new markets, in compliant ways. Stay tuned for more new market announcements throughout OND.  We have A LOT of Makers reaching out seeking distribution assistance. Our passion at LibDib is to help brands--big and small--get their products to market and ultimately to the end consumer. That is exactly what we are doing.  We have a lot of blogs about how to be a successful LibDibber. OND Tips. Case Studies. Extra Services. The LibDib team has built out an AMAZING Help Center that answers pretty much every question.  However, when starting your LibDib journey, there are a few don'ts when it comes to working with us. Knowing these truths will help you move through the process smoothly, ultimately leading to faster access to new markets. Here are

Happy 2022! As we roll into the new year, the LibDib team has begun to implement our latest plans which always includes a focus on the trends for the upcoming year. In the same tone as 2021, Tequila, RTD’s and Whiskey will continue to be the category winners. Champagne supplies will be short. These are the trends that everyone is talking about.  What else is the beverage alcohol industry, and more importantly wholesale distribution, going to see in 2022? Here are the LibDib predictions for 2022 challenges and opportunities. Supply Chain shortages will continue. The Challenge: This past OND, LibDib had a number of wine and spirits Makers with out of stocks. Unfortunately, no end is in sight. Bottles wouldn’t show up. Labels were three weeks late. Boxes. Corks. Foils. Everything was late. If you know anything about bottling as a small Maker, it’s very challenging if all the materials are not there on time. Labor is scheduled for the day. Sometimes there is a m

Our fourth installment of LibDib's multi-part series on the topic of E-Premise features Barcart, a company focused on powering alcohol brands by enabling compliant DTC sales with geo-targeted marketing capabilities. As you know by now, E-Premise is an important part of the evolution of three-tier distribution. LibDib is honored that so many great partners have joined us in this quest to bring exciting new products to market. Interested? Read LibDIb’s other E-Premise features with partners including Big Thirst, LiquorStorefront.com and Speakeasy.  What’s your company’s origin story? A: Barcart is a technology company transforming the beverage alcohol industry and providing unprecedented transparency across the three-tier system for suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Our solutions generate new revenue streams, increase product reach with industry-compliant online sales, and help reach new audiences using buying intelligence from our award wi

Welcome to the first installment of LibDib’s multi-part series on E-Premise. E-Premise is a term we LibDibbers use often. It’s really important  as we think about the evolution of this industry. Now, more than ever there are three channels to invest in when developing a brand: On-Prem, Off-Prem and…E-Prem! We took some time to sit down with each of our E-Premise partners to find out more about their company and offerings to Makers. First up is Speakeasy, based in San Diego. For the newbies out there: What is E-Premise? E-Premise is a “direct to consumer” (DTC) way to build a brand online. DTC is in quotes because these programs are within the three-tier system where all orders to consumers are fulfilled via licensed retailers. In the past, wine and spirits brands were separated from the end customer (sometimes by two tiers), but E-Premise strategies have ended that division, compliantly, and allowed for more visibility into the person buying and cons

On-Premise. Off-Premise. Two concepts that we, in the beverage industry, are all too familiar with. But now, there is another universe to think about when it comes to developing an alcohol brand and selling products: E-Premise.  What is e-premise and why are we talking about it these days? At LibDib, we define e-premise as a “direct to consumer” brand built primarily online. DTC is in quotes because these programs are within the three-tier system and all orders to consumers are fulfilled via licensed retailers. Makers commit time and marketing dollars to drive consumer brand building and sales through a fourth-tier platform, which drives the retailers to then purchase via LibDib as the distributor. But, one of the more interesting factors of these programs is the data collection. These fourth-tier platforms provide customer data back to the Makers, which can be used in various ways. This is a new-ish development in the wine and spirits industry.   In past years, a

Creating and executing an effective growth strategy is where a lot of successful Makers hit a stumbling block. Their wine and spirits products are selling well, there’s demand and room for expansion, but what do the next steps look like? LibDib’s Director of Maker Experience, Tanya Riesbeck, has the answers. Step one is simple: “Get out from behind the still, get out of the cellar and BE the Seller,” she says. “We know that buyers want authenticity and more than ever, people want to support small and local wine and spirits producers who pour so much into their craft.”  It’s sound advice--just as much as it’s fun wordplay. Putting a face to the name of the brand is helpful: it shows passion and pride and adds a grassroots sensibility.  Look at the recent success of Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin. Of course, it certainly helps that he is the famous movie star Ryan Reynolds… but the point still stands. It wa