Liquor Group Enjoys Increases in Control States Sales

Jacksonville, FL – April 5, 2010 – Liquor Group Wholesale (Publicly Traded: LIQR) has watched a trend develop in their territories. Just as shown in recently published data*, spirits case sales overall were up 3.3% compared to last year's same period sales with overall rolling-twelve month volumes growth at 1.7% compared to January's 1.5%.  The portion of sales represented by Liquor Group products from these overall figures has increased into the double digits, with overall growth rates reported by Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Montgomery County Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming, all of which exceeded their twelve month trends.  Overall wine case sales grew 3.6% in the control states, with Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Utah, Montgomery County Maryland, and Wyoming reporting growth rates of 4.2%, 1.8%, 4.5%, 3.6%, 11.0%, and 2.5%, respectively, with rolling-twelve month wine volumes growing 2.1%. 

Control state shelf dollars grew at 4.3% during February while trending at 2.3% during the most recent twelve months. Growth rates reported by Alabama, Iowa, Idaho, Montgomery County Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington exceeded their twelve month trends.

Irish whiskey, with 0.5% share of the control states spirits market, was the fastest growing category with 22.1% reported and a twelve month trend of 12.8%. Vodka, with a 33% share, grew during the same periods at 7.4% and 6.4%. The growth rates of all categories - Brandy/Cognac, Canadian, Cocktails, Cordials, Domestic Whiskey, Gin, Irish Whiskey, Rum, Scotch, Tequila, and Vodka - exceeded their twelve-month trends.  The data concurs with and reinforces the outlook of the overall market by management at Liquor Group, as they continue to enjoy increased sales and distribution depth in both License and Controlled States.

*Source: National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA)