US alcohol delivery service Drizly says its sales have soared since news of the coronavirus began to spread and customers began panic buying.
In Seattle, Chicago and Boston, sales of wine, beer and liquor last week were up 300-500%, with the average basket spend about 30% above normal levels.
“Yesterday was our largest day ever, inclusive of New Year’s and Halloween, which are our busiest times,” said Cory Rellas, Drizly’s chief executive, on Friday.
“It feels like this is the week where there is a change in the psyche as people realise that they’re going to be working from home for more than a couple of days.”
Lisa Rydman, whose family owns Spec’s, a liquor store chain based in Houston, told The New York Times its online sales last week were up 100% compared to the week before.
“People are in a kind of state of hysteria, so they’re stocking up, whether in person or delivery,” she said. “We are absolutely seeing people wanting to stock up because they’re getting ready for whatever is coming.”
Cowen's Vivien Azer said: "Consumer demand for alcoholic beverages remains strong, which has been evidenced by high traffic and velocity in the off-premise. With no firm timeline in place on when to expect an end to social distancing measures, consumers have been pantry loading.
“This should provide a near-term bump in off-premise alcohol sales and help to partially offset the lost consumption that will be felt in the on-premise channel, which typically accounts for 18% to 20% of total volumes."
Liquor stores to close due to coronavirus
In Pennslyvania, state-run liquor stores are set to close until further notice because of the coronavirus.
Starting Tuesday night, all 600 fine wine and spirits stores in the area will be closed until further notice. And they're set to stay closed until further notice.
Customers have been crowding the stores, panic buying to get their last supplies. There are reports of 200-300 people in queues. The biggest seller: boxed wine.
"I knew it’d be a mad house like this," said one customer.
"Unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it," he said. "Not even on New Year’s Day, or New Year’s Eve, shall I say.”
Brawl breaks out in bottle shop
A fight during panic buying for coronavirus quarantine saw two men brawling with broken wine bottles in the aisles of Sam’s Club in Georgia.
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