That sounds interesting in theory but unless you’ve built up your own native client base, it seems like it will mean every bottle has to be hand sold. I think this model might work better in resort/vacation towns, where visitors are more consciously open to trying, and desiring, something new.
I see this a lot in my day job with a Napa Valley Estate winery. People respond to information I create for them telling me they can find it for $10 less at another retailer. They don’t know what to say when I point out they are looking at an older vintage, they will need to pay higher shipping and they have no idea how it is stored.
To be frank - the only wines this is going to happen with is Kendall Jackson, Martini and all the mega-purple cuvees from Gallo. The best thing to do is to treat the wines like liquor (markup wise) and keep a good, everyday price.
Total Wine is going to $9.99 KJ Chard once a month, you keep an $11.97 price on it EVERYDAY. The rest of your competition is going to be $14.99, so your price will always be competitive.
You don’t have to always be the cheapest, just the most competitive.
Long-running and estabished bottle shop 50 years running, a fixture in the neighborhood. The wine section is the heart and soul of the shop. Every bottle was sampled and hand-picked for a spot on the shelves. Any given month we sent invoice payments to around 20 different wine distributors. We didn’t mind if new faces/visitors head to Whole Foods for their Vueve Clicquot, Meiomi or KJ. I no longer work there, but this buying philosophy has served it well.
interesting subject since i live in buffalo and costco is opening soon .The big issue can they sell wine/liquor here since they discount so much as it will certainly have a affect on the mom and pop stores .Just wondering what the the thought is about this