This data-led session will examine the consumer behaviours, drinking occasions, categories, price points and formats expected to influence beverage purchasing in 2027. Buyers will learn where demand is growing, which established categories are losing momentum and how preferences differ across retail, restaurants, hotels and travel retail. The speaker should translate market data into practical sourcing decisions, helping buyers determine which wines, spirits, RTDs, low- and no-alcohol products, packaging formats and private-label opportunities deserve greater attention in the year ahead.

Bulk wine buyers will share what they are currently sourcing, including the varietals, origins, styles, price points and volumes attracting the most interest. Other buyers will learn how their peers are assessing supply, comparing regions, managing pricing and securing consistency. The session will help buyers benchmark their own sourcing strategies, discover new supply opportunities and understand how other businesses are responding to changing demand, inventory and margin pressures.

Experienced bulk spirits buyers will discuss how they source aged and unaged liquid, assess available inventory and negotiate supply and production agreements. Other buyers will learn how their peers evaluate specifications, samples, pricing, minimum volumes, blending options, production capacity and supplier reliability. The session will offer practical insights for buyers looking to secure better liquid, reduce supply risk and build more dependable sourcing partnerships.

Buyers from national grocery chains, wine and spirits retailers, warehouse clubs and membership retailers will share how they identify gaps and build successful private-label and control-label products. Other retail buyers will learn how their peers use consumer data, price architecture, packaging and supplier capabilities to guide product development. The panel will provide practical ideas for improving margins, increasing customer loyalty, accelerating innovation and building exclusive products that national retailers can scale.

This session is designed for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to create their own private-label wine, spirits, RTD or alternative beverage brand. The speaker will explain the complete process—from identifying a market opportunity and defining the target customer to sourcing the liquid, selecting a contract producer, developing packaging, establishing pricing and launching the product. Attendees will learn about minimum order quantities, production agreements, trademarks, compliance, distribution, funding, margins and route-to-market options. The session will provide a practical roadmap for turning a beverage idea into a commercially viable brand and then growing it across retail, hospitality and direct-to-consumer channels.

Wine and spirits buyers from airports, airlines, cruise lines, duty-free retailers and other travel channels will explain how they select products for today’s international traveller. Other buyers will learn how travel-retail companies balance global brands with exclusive products, local discoveries, premium gifting, convenient formats and private-label opportunities. The panel will cover passenger demographics, price points, packaging, limited editions, onboard and airport requirements, supply consistency and the influence of tourism trends on purchasing decisions. Attendees will gain practical ideas for creating distinctive beverage selections, improving margins and offering products travellers cannot easily find in traditional retail.

This technical buying keynote is designed for head winemakers, master distillers, blenders, production directors and technical procurement leaders responsible for selecting liquid, ingredients and production partners. The speaker will explain how technical buyers evaluate bulk wine, bulk spirits, base liquid, grapes, grain, botanicals, flavour components and blending materials before committing to a purchase. Attendees will learn how their peers assess samples, specifications, sensory quality, chemical analysis, consistency, traceability, production capability and suitability for blending or finishing. The session will also cover trial protocols, quality tolerances, supplier documentation, scalability and the technical warning signs that should be identified before entering a supply agreement.