RNDC Invests in E-Commerce Platform Thirstie; Deal Will Transform Alcohol Industry

Suppliers can now harness the power of e-commerce and data to expand distribution

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NEW YORK, NY and GRAND PRAIRIE, TX  Dec. 15, 2022 — Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), a leading national wholesale distributor of premium wine and spirits, announced a strategic partnership and investment in Thirstie, the leading enterprise e-commerce provider for the beverage alcohol industry.

The partnership represents a major shift for the industry, bringing together a traditional wholesaler and an alcohol e-commerce innovator to usher in a new era in the alcohol industry.

RNDC’s partnership with Thirstie will bring a compliant, technology-driven, more efficient approach to the beverage alcohol industry. Thirstie’s regulator-vetted, patented platform will allow RNDC’s liquor suppliers access to virtual storefronts and analytics — and will create new ways for them to engage with consumers and strengthen their relationship with RNDC.

Data-driven approach will optimize the supply chain—from manufacturing and distribution to sales and marketing. Soon, RNDC’s liquor supplier partners will gain access to never-before-seen data and predictive analytics to not only grow online sales but also leverage it across other traditional parts of their business.

Online purchases of liquor and wines were a bright spot during the pandemic-era lockdown. But as bars and other venues have re-opened, and Apple’s new privacy policies slashed ad ROI by 38%, the trend for digital alcohol sales slowed in 2022. However, it’s expected to accelerate in the coming years as new partnerships form between industry leaders and technology companies — allowing the next generation of innovation and collaboration to materialize.

According to IWSR, beverage alcohol e-commerce sales are expected to reach more than US $42 billion across key markets by 2025 with a growth of 66%. With a quarter of global drinkers now ordering online, e-commerce represents an investment for both suppliers and retailers. Online shopping generates data, which presents novel and nuanced marketing opportunities for alcohol suppliers.

"RNDC is looking to transform the industry and this partnership with Thirstie is one of the ways we are accelerating our digital capabilities," said RNDC CEO Nick Mehall. "Thirstie is a category leader in the alcohol e-commerce space. With Thirstie’s platform, as well as their extended offerings, we will make a tremendous impact on RNDC’s supplier community and the industry overall."

"We see this partnership as a pivotal point for Thirstie and our customers," Thirstie CEO and co-founder Maxim Razmakhin says. "The union of two innovative leaders in the space further propels the beverage alcohol sector into a digital- and data-first mindset."

He adds, "Liquor suppliers understand the importance of e-commerce, but they’re looking for support with running digital marketing, analyzing data, and packaging the results for their wholesalers, sales teams, and investors. That’s why we’re now offering a one-stop-shop solution as well as step-by-step guidance for leveraging online success to benefit offline business."

About Thirstie

Thirstie, a New York-based technology company, is the leading e-commerce and data provider for alcohol brands, founded by Maxim Razmakhin and Devaraj Southworth in 2014. Thirstie powers branded e-commerce experiences within an industry three-tier compliant system.  Transparency into consumer insights, analytics, and ROI helps brands improve performance marketing and their relationships with wholesalers. For more information about Thirstie, please visit www.thirstie.com.

About Republic National Distributing Company

As a top beverage alcohol distributor in the nation, RNDC’s national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 38 states across the United States. To learn more, visit www.rndc-usa.com.