The landscape of digital alcohol services continues to shift.
WSWA Services, LLC, an affiliate of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), has purchased a minority share in Drizly, the Boston, Mass.-based tech company specializing in mobile, on-demand-delivery alcohol shopping.
“This strategic alliance unites decades of wine and spirits wholesaler experience with the dynamic technological changes that are reshaping the beverage-alcohol industry,” a press release said.
Drizly already operates in more than 15 cities across the country.
Drizly and WSWA Services first established the alliance last April to help expand the e-commerce company’s presence with retailer partners across the country, enabling Drizly to serve more consumers, the press release said. Drizly will now have direct access to a network of industry experts (wholesalers) with long-standing, professional relationships at both the supplier and retailer levels, as well as support in navigating the regulatory environment and marketplace.
“Drizly’s strategic alliance with WSWA Services shows that technology can be the ally of mature, regulated industries like beverage alcohol — not a disruptor,” said Nick Rellas, the co-founder and CEO of Drizly.
“The vision for Drizly has always been to accelerate wholesalers, suppliers and retailers through the consumer’s shift to digital and mobile commerce,” he added. “By joining forces with WSWA Services we take an important step forward in our mission to legally connect supply and demand.”
WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said, “WSWA Services’s strategic alliance with Drizly demonstrates the commitment of wholesalers to support next generation technology that will directly benefit consumers, retailers, suppliers and wholesalers.”
He added, “Most importantly, this alliance will enhance the three-tier system and amplify the benefits this system currently provides consumers: the widest array of product available anywhere in the world, delivered in a manner that is well regulated and ensures consumer protection, appropriate oversight, and product integrity.”
