TO THE MILLENNIUM…AND BEYOND
While year-end holidays are already a very busy and exciting time in the bar and restaurant business, the next 14 months promise to be even busier. The economic picture, although strained by recent stock market stutters, is still strong, with low unemployment and generally favorable disposable income. That means operators can expect strong year-end business. And as we approach the year 2000, millennial promotions and events are clearly starting to gear up, with operators getting ready for what promises to be a very exciting and interesting year. And not only because of the seemingly endless opportunities for special events; new beverage alcohol products targeted toward the millennium have already started to appear in all categories and price ranges.
For instance, take champagne and sparkling wines. Some historical studies generally indicate that the year-end holiday period account for up to 40% of sparkling wine sales for the entire year, and this should rise in 1999. Champagne Wine Information Bureau chief Jean-Louis Carbonnier tells us in this month’s feature on sparkling wines that reports of rapidly depleting champagne stocks are greatly exaggerated, although some sparkling wines at or near the top end of the price spectrum may already be growing scarce.
While stocking up on sparkling wines and millennial products should be on your minds, it’s also time to remind ourselves and staffs about the requirements for responsible service of beverage alcohol. Continuing to monitor customer consumption, organizing designated driver programs and establishing firm policies is the best way to safeguard your customers and your business.
LAST CALL FOR CHEERS AWARDS ENTRIES
This is a busy time of year, but before it gets any busier, put entering the Cheers Awards for Beverage Excellence competition at the top of your list. This free competition, which honors the best beverage alcohol programs in the country, culminates in a stellar award presentation at the Cheers Beverage Conference in Chicago next June. Be sure to get your complete entry to us by January 15, 1999. Remember, you have to be in it to win it. For details about the competition and what it takes to enter, please see pages 57-60 for information. Or call editor Jack Robertiello at (212) 827-4709.
And finally, from all of us here at Cheers and Adams Business Media, best wishes for a healthy, happy and profitable holiday season and a prosperous new year to you and all your families.
Sincerely,