SIC 5182 Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverages

SIC 5182

This category includes establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of distilled spirits, including neutral spirits and ethyl alcohol used in blended wines and distilled liquor. The product range includes bottled wines and spirits, brandy and brandy spirits, cocktails, liquors, wine coolers, and wines.

NAICS CODE(S)

424820

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Wholesalers

In 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1,865 establishments were engaged in the wholesale distribution of distilled spirits, including neutral spirits and ethyl alcohol used in blended wines and distilled liquor. There were 66,248 people employed in this industry, with an annual payroll of $3.7 billion. Combined annual sales in 2006 were $33.9 billion. The average sales per establishment were approximately $14 million, with an average of 22 employees per establishment. States with the majority of establishments were California, with 597, New York with 288, Florida with 203, and Texas with 158. Together, they accounted for more than 44 percent of the overall marketplace.

According to D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions, in 2006 the wine sector accounted for 1,548 establishments with $9.7 billion in sales, which was just under 30 percent of total sales. Wine and distilled beverages numbered 555 establishments and accounted for more than 31 percent of the market, with sales of $10.6 billion. While brandy and brandy spirits numbered only 15 establishments, they generated about $1.7 billion in sales. Liquor establishments numbered 532 with $10.1 billion, which accounted for a huge 30 percent share of total sales. Bottling wines and liquors establishments averaged $1.6 billion in sales.

Like other sectors of the wholesale industry, the wholesale wine and distilled beverages business was very fragmented with a few large companies and many small firms. In 2004, 1,865 there were establishments operating in this wholesale industry, down from 3,214 in 1997. The majority of operations—792 distributors—were small scale, with less than five employees. There were 276 businesses that employed between five and nine workers, and 241 listed 10 to 19 employees, while another 260 employed between 20 to 49 workers. Finally, 296 establishments listed more than 50 employees on their payroll.

Most of the wholesalers operating primarily as wine and distilled beverage distributors, a total of 639, had sales in the range of $1...