Are we looking at the Italian spirits market through the right lens? A recent Global Drinks Intel analysis highlights a challenging outlook: Italian spirits volumes are projected to decline at around -1% CAGR through 2035. But one figure deserves a broader perspective: aperitifs and bitters account for roughly one third of spirits volumes in Italy. Because in Italy, aperitivo is not a category. It is a consumption occasion. And a deeply rooted one: over 70% of Italians enjoy an aperitivo at least once a week. That occasion cuts across traditional industry boundaries. Aperitif spirits and classic cocktails share the same space with beer and Prosecco and other sparkling wines, alongside well established no/low aperitifs (e.g. CRODINO) So perhaps the question is not only where the spirits market is heading, but: How is the aperitivo occasion evolving — and who is gaining share within it? In markets shaped by strong consumption rituals, share of occasion can sometimes tell us more than share of category. Perhaps a study on how Italians’ aperitivo habits are evolving would tell us more about the future of the market than looking at any single beverage category in isolation. One thing is certain: summer beverage consumption would probably have looked a little different with Italy at the World Cup. Let’s hope for 2030. 🟩 ⬜ 🟥 #Aperitivo #SpiritsIndustry #ConsumerInsights #ConsumptionOccasions #MarketTrends #CategoryManagement #BeverageIndustry #BrandStrategy #DrinksBusiness #FoodAndBeverage https://lnkd.in/eGB6ATjC

Expanding into the U.S. alcohol and hospitality market? Understanding the regulatory landscape is critical to avoiding costly delays and compliance pitfalls. In the latest Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group blog, Louis J. Terminello and Brad Berkman, Esq. provide a practical overview of the key legal considerations foreign companies face when entering the U.S. market, including: ✔️ The three-tier alcohol distribution system ✔️ Federal, state, and local licensing requirements ✔️ Compliance obligations for suppliers and retailers ✔️ Jurisdictional and zoning considerations impacting operations Whether you're a foreign beverage producer, importer, hotel operator, restaurant group, or distributor, this primer offers valuable insights into navigating the complex U.S. regulatory framework. Read more: https://ow.ly/Ahx650ZkOyA #HospitalityLaw #AlcoholLaw #FoodAndBeverage #HospitalityIndustry #AlcoholIndustry #RegulatoryCompliance #ThreeTierSystem #BusinessLaw #InternationalBusiness

Great hospitality is not about treating every customer the same. It’s about understanding that every customer is different. True hospitality requires something more: the ability to read the room, adapt, and connect with people as individuals. A big thank you to Freda and Jaideep for sharing their insights and experiences with me for my latest article on why hospitality in coffee shops is often harder than it looks. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dKrUNrgq #SpecialtyCoffee #Hospitality #CoffeeShops #CustomerExperience #PerfectDailyGrind

🤵🏽 Why is excellent customer service often so hard to get right? Baristas learn to treat every customer the same, yet a one-size-fits-all approach to hospitality often falls short. Instead, staff should read each customer's body language, match their energy, and anticipate what they want before they ask. Naturally, this is easier said than done. Jacopo Papi spoke with Freda Yuan, Director of Coffee at Origin Coffee, and 2026 Belgian Brewers Cup Champion Jaideep Sidhu at Wide Awake Coffee for their insight. #PerfectDailyGrind #Hospitality #CoffeeShops Photo by: https://lnkd.in/ePw_j43W

Introducing Spirits Collective, our newest initiative at Stirring Up Hospitality, led by Sasha Tabrese J. and Sarah Nester. The Appalachian region of the American South produces some of the world's most distinctive whiskey. Limestone-filtered water. Mash bills rooted in corn. Charcoal mellowing refined over generations. Traditions this exact don't earn recognition by accident. They earn it through a reputation that anchors the brand long before the bottle is poured. Spirits Collective was created to steward that introduction. We are developing relationships across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Monaco to introduce Southern Appalachia as a distinct regional category through carefully selected commercial partnerships, securing producers' market entry with their provenance understood and credibility established, rather than simply arriving on a shelf. If you lead a hospitality venue or beverage program on the French Riviera, or represent a Southern Appalachian distillery exploring expansion, let's talk.

"Can businesses offer unlimited drink specials?” Myth: Unlimited drink specials are a common and compliant way to drive traffic in hospitality venues. Fact: Florida alcohol regulations place strict limits on promotional practices, and certain unlimited or “all-you-can-drink” offers may create compliance risks depending on how they are structured and advertised. For bars, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, understanding the rules around promotions is essential to avoid violations and protect your license. Spirit Law Partners helps businesses navigate alcohol advertising and compliance with confidence. Contact our team to learn more. #AlcoholLaw #HospitalityLaw #FloridaBusiness #SpiritLawPartners

The most important brand asset in the On Premise may not be the bottle on the back bar. It may be the person standing in front of it. Our new Global Bartender Report 2026 shows just how much influence bartenders have. The average bartender in a premium venue can shape more than 10,000 drink decisions every year. The report also finds that the quality of a supplier’s engagement and support is around 3.4 times more predictive of bartender advocacy than perceptions of portfolio quality. For me, that is the real takeaway. Great products matter, but so do the relationships, training and practical support around them. Bartenders recommend the brands they know, trust and feel genuinely supported by. Proud to share this year’s NIQ Global Bartender report, built from the views of more than 1,700 hospitality professionals across 14 markets. https://lnkd.in/e_A5xsxJ #OnPremise #Bartenders #Hospitality #BrandStrategy

Do me a favour, look at the drinks menu at your next corporate event or high-end Sandton boardroom meeting. If it’s just beers, wine, and then sugary sodas or water for the non-drinkers, you are completely misreading the room. The data is clear. Globally, the non-alcoholic wine segment is already a $2.5 billion market and is climbing rapidly. The fastest-growing pocket inside that? Premium non-alcoholic wine. People aren't opting out of alcohol because they have to; they’re opting out because they want to optimise their health and sleep. High-earning, health-conscious executives want a sophisticated "third option" that fits the premium aesthetic of a networking event. If your venue or corporate beverage setup is still treating de-alcoholised options as an afterthought, you are literally leaving money and client satisfaction on the table. To the hospitality managers and corporate event heads in my network: How are you adapting your menus to catch this shift this quarter?

Like everything in life, evolution must go on to keep trends developing and create interest. I had the pleasure of sharing my views on the Tea industry and the way the beverage is enjoying a modern integration in our daily lives. In my interview with T Hospitality team, I had expressed my views on the evolving role of tea, the future of non-alcoholic beverages, and why suppliers looking to succeed in the GCC need to offer far more than quality tea. Here is the full article - https://lnkd.in/dCehJhfB Gates Hospitality

Hospitality Now 2026 brought food and drink operators together to share practical insights and fresh confidence for the future. From staffing and growth, to marketing and making money, the event focused on what works right now. Attendees said that the event was 'engaging and 'practical' and offered ‘practical anecdotes from high-calibre operators’. The event was funded through the Regional Tourism Industry Development Program. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eYev4kTG Image from left to right: Dan Hunter, chef and co-owner, Brae; Christian McCabe, co-founder, Embla; and Leanne Altmann, beverage director, Trader House. They were the 'Good People: Where to Find Them, How to Cultivate Them, How to Keep Them' panel. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival #TourismVictoria #RegionalTourism