New York, New York, March 19, 2020 — As state-wide mandates continue to go into effect across major metropolitans–encouraging citizens to stay indoors–online sales are now at the forefront of DTC business. Despite wine retailers seeing a dip in foot traffic, sales remain steady as initiatives to keep the wine flowing by emphasizing online orders, phone orders for curb-side pickup and through delivery apps.Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, one of the largest fine wine retail businesses in the New York metropolitan area, saw a 62% increase in overall sales, a 20% increase in overall in-store foot traffic, and a 300% increase in local delivery and pickup orders across its four locations in New Jersey, as of March 15. The uptick began on Friday, March 12th, as sales were up 30% week over week.
“We have strongly encouraged our community to practice social distancing and place their orders from home,” Gary Fisch said. “In response to the new mandates in California, we introduced a curbside pickup option for our local customers. Further, we launched a temporary website called www.garyslocal.com, which provides a real-time feed of inventory in each store, in order to make it easier for our customers to place orders while staying home. Gary’s newest location in St. Helena, CA has seen a significant decrease in foot traffic, but a sizable increase in basket size.”
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace utilizes a local delivery and curbside pickup service through its proprietary mobile app and website, in addition to working with alcohol e-commerce platform Drizly.
Benchmarkwine.com, the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world has continued to see a strong sales quarter.
“Sale of well-aged fine wine remains strong, as it has in previous times of stock market volatility.” commented Dave Parker, CEO of Benchmark Wine Group, “We are seeing continued demand for wines at all prices ranges from affordable entry level to the rarest collectables of the world. Some of this is clearly being purchased by those who are choosing to drink well when they dine at home and some is likely being purchased for investment.”
About Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (www.garyswine.com) began as a small wine shop in Madison, New Jersey in 1987 and has since grown to be one of the largest fine wine businesses in the New York metropolitan area, with four stores in Northern New Jersey, a new location in St. Helena, California, and a thriving e-commerce business. Commitment to friendly, attentive service by knowledgeable employees and a myriad of wine and food events for the public set Gary’s apart from other wine stores.
About Benchmark Wine Group
Established in 2002, Benchmarkwine.com is the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world. Based in Napa Valley, we acquire the most sought-after wines from private individuals and professional contacts. Our staff draws on decades of industry experience and is dedicated to providing exceptional service to all of our clients. Benchmarkwine.com offers 24 hour access to our cellar, displaying inventory in real time.
