10 Best Whiskey and Alcohol Stocks to Buy in 2021
The year 2020 has been transformational for the whiskey and alcohol industry. Due to the lockdown restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, bars and restaurants, traditionally the go-to places for consumption of alcohol, were shut down. As a result, the home consumption of beverages increased, and in order to survive the hit in sales, many firms turned their attention to online marketing. According to research by the International Wines and Spirits Record, 44% of alcohol consumers on the internet only started buying alcohol online in 2020.
The investments made in ecommerce are likely to remain critical drivers of growth for beverage makers well into 2021. For example, Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO), one of the largest beverage firms in the world, was able to continue with a policy of increasing the annual dividend payment for shareholders because online sales helped the company weather the impact of the coronavirus crisis. In 2020, Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO) reported a 2% increase in sales in the UK, a 30% increase in off-trade drinking, and a massive boost in web-based beverage purchases.