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Bump Williams Consulting: FMB, Spirits-Based RTD Volume Gains Slowing; Imports Remain ‘Beacon of Consistent Volume’ Growth

Bump Williams Consulting: FMB, Spirits-Based RTD Volume Gains Slowing; Imports Remain ‘Beacon of Consistent Volume’ Growth

The once-booming flavored malt beverage (FMB) segment is “showing some concerning declarations over recent weeks,” Bump Williams Consulting (BWC) founder Bump Williams noted in a recent report. FMB volume gains dropped by half – from +2.2%, to +1.1% – from the four-week period to the one-week period ending May 18, according to NIQ retail measurement data cited by BWC.

Additional Content

NIQ: 36% Consumers Won’t Buy Alcohol For Thanksgiving

NIQ: 36% Consumers Won’t Buy Alcohol For Thanksgiving

Beverage-alcohol “is on the chopping block” for consumers this Thanksgiving, with more than a third of consumers planning to not purchase alcoholic beverages at all, according to market research firm NIQ.

3 Up 3 Down: Fresh NA Brands and Mini Cans Show Promise, While FMBs and 6-Packs Falter

3 Up 3 Down: Fresh NA Brands and Mini Cans Show Promise, While FMBs and 6-Packs Falter

The beverage-alcohol landscape doesn’t slow down, even when categories do. In this latest quarterly installment of 3 Up, 3 Down, 3 Tier Beverages takes a data-driven look at what’s gaining momentum – and what’s losing ground – across beer, wine, spirits, and non-alc (NA), with NIQ off-premise data through August 9, 2025.

3 Tier Beverages: Spirits-based RTDs Becoming Bigger Thorn in Beer’s Side, Despite Slowed Growth

3 Tier Beverages: Spirits-based RTDs Becoming Bigger Thorn in Beer’s Side, Despite Slowed Growth

The growth of spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) may be slowing. However, the segment’s impact on the beer category is far from abating, according to bev-alc consulting and data firm 3 Tier Beverages.

Spirits-based RTD growth peaked in 2020, with dollar sales growth of more than 150% in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels (total U.S. xAOC plus liquor plus convenience), 3 Tier Beverages consultant Erin McVickers shared in a webinar last week. Growth then progressively slowed, but the segment was still able to more than double dollar sales from 2021 (nearly $1.53 billion) to 2024 (nearly $3.19 billion).

Spirits RTDs, Cider Buck Bev-Alc Sales Slump

Spirits RTDs, Cider Buck Bev-Alc Sales Slump

Bev-alc sales continued to decline in the two-week period ending August 9, although cider and ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits are still enjoying a slight summer boost, according to analysis of NIQ data from Goldman Sachs Equity Research.