Distributor Consolidation

For the past several years, Reyes Beverage Group has been purchasing distributors and expanding across the country. As Kate Bernot details in Good Beer Hunting, they’ve quietly built a distribution empire that makes them the country’s ninth largest privately-held company. While some might praise efficiencies that come with this (lower costs?), others aren’t crazy about it. One in that camp is ABI, who suddenly has a big competitor to its network, especially in California. Another group consists of countless retailers I’ve spoken with over the years that complain of increased tel-sell, fewer delivery days, and overall worse service.

Read more…