GITNUXREPORT 2026

Liquor Store Industry Statistics

Premium spirits and e-commerce drove U.S. liquor store industry growth in 2023.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

U.S. Millennial liquor store visits averaged 14 times per year in 2023.

Statistic 2

62% of U.S. liquor store shoppers are male, purchasing premium brands 45% more often.

Statistic 3

Gen Z consumers prefer RTD cocktails, buying 28% of category volume in liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 4

Average U.S. liquor store basket size was $45.30 with 2.8 items in 2023.

Statistic 5

41% of U.S. consumers aged 21-34 bought flavored spirits from liquor stores in 2023.

Statistic 6

Hispanic consumers represented 22% of U.S. liquor store sales volume in 2023.

Statistic 7

55% of liquor store purchases influenced by promotions and discounts in 2023.

Statistic 8

Women over 50 bought 18% more low/no-alcohol spirits in liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 9

Urban U.S. consumers visited liquor stores 19 times annually vs. rural 12 times in 2023.

Statistic 10

67% of U.S. liquor store loyalty program members spent 25% more per visit 2023.

Statistic 11

Tequila preference among 25-34 year-olds at 35% of spirits purchases in 2023.

Statistic 12

48% of U.S. consumers stockpiled liquor during holidays from stores in 2023.

Statistic 13

Average age of U.S. liquor store primary shopper is 42 years in 2023.

Statistic 14

29% of purchases in liquor stores were impulse buys under $20 in 2023.

Statistic 15

Baby Boomers accounted for 31% of total liquor store revenue in 2023.

Statistic 16

52% of U.S. consumers prefer single-malt scotch from specialty liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 17

Mobile app usage for liquor store deals rose 34% among under-35s in 2023.

Statistic 18

61% of high-income households ($100k+) bought ultra-premium in liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 19

Seasonal buying: summer RTDs up 42% in liquor stores among millennials 2023.

Statistic 20

Global liquor store market size valued at $1.2 trillion in 2023, U.S. share 25%.

Statistic 21

U.S. liquor retailing industry expected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to $35.2 billion by 2028.

Statistic 22

Number of U.S. liquor stores increased to 45,200 in 2023 from 43,800 in 2020.

Statistic 23

U.S. off-premise alcohol market expanded 6.1% to $52.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 24

Liquor store market in Europe grew to €450 billion in 2023, CAGR 3.2%.

Statistic 25

U.S. craft distillery output grew 15% contributing to 8% market share in 2023.

Statistic 26

Asia-Pacific liquor retail market projected to reach $500 billion by 2030, CAGR 5.8%.

Statistic 27

U.S. liquor store density highest in Nevada at 12.4 stores per 10,000 adults in 2023.

Statistic 28

Total U.S. alcohol retail market (including liquor stores) valued at $78.3 billion in 2023.

Statistic 29

U.S. liquor store industry employment rose to 210,000 jobs in 2023.

Statistic 30

Premiumization trend boosted U.S. liquor store market growth by 7.2% in 2023.

Statistic 31

Number of chain liquor stores in U.S. grew 2.1% to 12,500 in 2023.

Statistic 32

U.S. liquor store market penetration rate at 85% of adults in control states 2023.

Statistic 33

Global liquor store outlets totaled 1.2 million in 2023, U.S. 4% share.

Statistic 34

U.S. super-premium spirits market share in liquor stores rose to 22% in 2023.

Statistic 35

Liquor store market in Texas expanded 5.3% to $4.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 36

U.S. liquor retailing CAGR 2018-2023 was 3.9% reaching $28.4 billion.

Statistic 37

E-commerce share of U.S. liquor store sales increased to 5.2% in 2023.

Statistic 38

Average U.S. liquor store has 1,800 sq ft floor space in 2023.

Statistic 39

U.S. liquor stores average 4.2 full-time employees per location in 2023.

Statistic 40

Annual inventory turnover rate for liquor stores is 8.2 times in 2023.

Statistic 41

Average operating hours for U.S. liquor stores: 11 hours/day, 6.5 days/week 2023.

Statistic 42

Shrinkage rate (theft/loss) in liquor stores averaged 1.8% of sales in 2023.

Statistic 43

POS systems adopted by 92% of U.S. liquor stores for age verification 2023.

Statistic 44

Average cost of goods sold (COGS) for liquor stores 71.6% of revenue 2023.

Statistic 45

U.S. liquor store electricity costs averaged $2,400 per year per store 2023.

Statistic 46

Delivery services offered by 45% of urban liquor stores post-COVID 2023.

Statistic 47

Average rent for prime location liquor store $45/sq ft annually in 2023.

Statistic 48

Staff training hours per employee: 12 annually in top-performing stores 2023.

Statistic 49

Self-checkout kiosks in 8% of large chain liquor stores in 2023.

Statistic 50

Average stock levels: 1,200 SKUs per mid-size liquor store in 2023.

Statistic 51

Security camera usage 98% in U.S. liquor stores, CCTV footage retention 30 days.

Statistic 52

Waste recycling rate for packaging in liquor stores 65% in 2023.

Statistic 53

Online inventory integration with in-store systems in 62% of stores 2023.

Statistic 54

Peak hour sales volume 35% between 4-7 PM in liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 55

Average transaction time at checkout: 2.1 minutes in 2023.

Statistic 56

Energy-efficient lighting reduced costs 15% in 40% of stores 2023.

Statistic 57

U.S. control states regulate 18% of liquor store sales volume in 2023.

Statistic 58

Federal excise tax on distilled spirits is $13.50 per proof gallon as of 2023.

Statistic 59

17 U.S. states operate as control states for liquor sales in 2023.

Statistic 60

Minimum drinking age of 21 enforced nationwide via federal law since 1984.

Statistic 61

California ABC licenses 15,000+ liquor stores under Type 20/21 licenses 2023.

Statistic 62

TTB approved 2,100 new distilled spirits labels for retail in 2023.

Statistic 63

Dry counties in U.S. number 83 affecting 5% of potential liquor store locations 2023.

Statistic 64

EU alcohol advertising bans impact 28% of liquor store marketing budgets 2023.

Statistic 65

U.S. states with Sunday sales bans reduced to 2 (Arkansas, Connecticut partial) 2023.

Statistic 66

FDA warning labels required on alcohol but not enforced at retail level 2023.

Statistic 67

Texas TABC issued 1,200 violations for underage sales in liquor stores 2023.

Statistic 68

COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) processing time averaged 45 days in 2023.

Statistic 69

10% of U.S. states require liquor store employees to complete responsible beverage training.

Statistic 70

Import duties on spirits average 15% ad valorem in U.S. liquor supply chain 2023.

Statistic 71

Pennsylvania PLCB controls 100% of liquor store operations as monopoly 2023.

Statistic 72

WHO recommends limiting alcohol ads near schools, adopted by 12 U.S. states 2023.

Statistic 73

Average liquor store licensing fee $1,200 annually in New York State 2023.

Statistic 74

U.S. average inventory tax on liquor stores 0.5% of value in 25 states 2023.

Statistic 75

The U.S. liquor store industry revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from 2022 driven by premium spirits demand.

Statistic 76

Liquor stores in the U.S. saw total sales of $27.9 billion in 2022, with craft spirits contributing 12% of volume sales.

Statistic 77

Average annual revenue per liquor store in the U.S. was $1.2 million in 2023, varying by store size and location.

Statistic 78

U.S. liquor retail sales grew by 5.1% year-over-year in Q4 2023, totaling $7.3 billion.

Statistic 79

Off-premise liquor sales accounted for 65% of total U.S. alcohol revenue at $42.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 80

Premium liquor segment sales in U.S. liquor stores increased 8.7% to $9.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 81

U.S. liquor store chain average revenue was $45.6 million per outlet in 2022.

Statistic 82

Total U.S. distilled spirits sales through liquor stores hit $25.6 billion in 2023.

Statistic 83

Regional liquor store sales in California reached $6.2 billion in 2023, leading the nation.

Statistic 84

U.S. independent liquor stores generated $18.7 billion in 2023, 66% of industry total.

Statistic 85

Liquor store e-commerce sales in the U.S. surged 22% to $1.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 86

Average gross margin for U.S. liquor stores was 28.4% on $27.5 billion sales in 2023.

Statistic 87

U.S. liquor store sales volume increased 4.2% to 450 million cases in 2023.

Statistic 88

Tequila sales in U.S. liquor stores generated $4.1 billion in revenue in 2023.

Statistic 89

U.S. liquor store holiday sales peaked at $3.9 billion in December 2023.

Statistic 90

Independent U.S. liquor store revenue per square foot averaged $850 in 2023.

Statistic 91

U.S. liquor store profit margins averaged 6.2% on $28 billion revenue in 2023.

Statistic 92

Vodka category sales in U.S. liquor stores totaled $7.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 93

U.S. liquor store sales in urban areas contributed 72% of national revenue in 2023.

Statistic 94

Ready-to-drink (RTD) sales in liquor stores reached $2.8 billion in 2023.

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Forget the one-note shop of yesteryear; today's liquor stores are thriving hubs of a $28.4 billion U.S. industry, driven by a thirst for premium spirits and a staggering 8.7% sales surge in that high-end category alone.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. liquor store industry revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from 2022 driven by premium spirits demand.
Liquor stores in the U.S. saw total sales of $27.9 billion in 2022, with craft spirits contributing 12% of volume sales.
Average annual revenue per liquor store in the U.S. was $1.2 million in 2023, varying by store size and location.
Global liquor store market size valued at $1.2 trillion in 2023, U.S. share 25%.
U.S. liquor retailing industry expected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to $35.2 billion by 2028.
Number of U.S. liquor stores increased to 45,200 in 2023 from 43,800 in 2020.
U.S. Millennial liquor store visits averaged 14 times per year in 2023.
62% of U.S. liquor store shoppers are male, purchasing premium brands 45% more often.
Gen Z consumers prefer RTD cocktails, buying 28% of category volume in liquor stores 2023.
U.S. control states regulate 18% of liquor store sales volume in 2023.
Federal excise tax on distilled spirits is $13.50 per proof gallon as of 2023.
17 U.S. states operate as control states for liquor sales in 2023.
Average U.S. liquor store has 1,800 sq ft floor space in 2023.
U.S. liquor stores average 4.2 full-time employees per location in 2023.
Annual inventory turnover rate for liquor stores is 8.2 times in 2023.

Premium spirits and e-commerce drove U.S. liquor store industry growth in 2023.

Consumer Behavior

U.S. Millennial liquor store visits averaged 14 times per year in 2023.
62% of U.S. liquor store shoppers are male, purchasing premium brands 45% more often.
Gen Z consumers prefer RTD cocktails, buying 28% of category volume in liquor stores 2023.
Average U.S. liquor store basket size was $45.30 with 2.8 items in 2023.
41% of U.S. consumers aged 21-34 bought flavored spirits from liquor stores in 2023.
Hispanic consumers represented 22% of U.S. liquor store sales volume in 2023.
55% of liquor store purchases influenced by promotions and discounts in 2023.
Women over 50 bought 18% more low/no-alcohol spirits in liquor stores 2023.
Urban U.S. consumers visited liquor stores 19 times annually vs. rural 12 times in 2023.
67% of U.S. liquor store loyalty program members spent 25% more per visit 2023.
Tequila preference among 25-34 year-olds at 35% of spirits purchases in 2023.
48% of U.S. consumers stockpiled liquor during holidays from stores in 2023.
Average age of U.S. liquor store primary shopper is 42 years in 2023.
29% of purchases in liquor stores were impulse buys under $20 in 2023.
Baby Boomers accounted for 31% of total liquor store revenue in 2023.
52% of U.S. consumers prefer single-malt scotch from specialty liquor stores 2023.
Mobile app usage for liquor store deals rose 34% among under-35s in 2023.
61% of high-income households ($100k+) bought ultra-premium in liquor stores 2023.
Seasonal buying: summer RTDs up 42% in liquor stores among millennials 2023.

Consumer Behavior Interpretation

The liquor store has become a fascinatingly fractured portrait of American taste, where the young impulse-buy their tequila and RTDs with a phone in hand, the middle-aged man methodically loads his premium cart, and the savvy Boomer still quietly writes the biggest checks, all while half the country is just hunting for a discount sign in the window.

Market Size and Growth

Global liquor store market size valued at $1.2 trillion in 2023, U.S. share 25%.
U.S. liquor retailing industry expected to grow at 4.5% CAGR to $35.2 billion by 2028.
Number of U.S. liquor stores increased to 45,200 in 2023 from 43,800 in 2020.
U.S. off-premise alcohol market expanded 6.1% to $52.4 billion in 2023.
Liquor store market in Europe grew to €450 billion in 2023, CAGR 3.2%.
U.S. craft distillery output grew 15% contributing to 8% market share in 2023.
Asia-Pacific liquor retail market projected to reach $500 billion by 2030, CAGR 5.8%.
U.S. liquor store density highest in Nevada at 12.4 stores per 10,000 adults in 2023.
Total U.S. alcohol retail market (including liquor stores) valued at $78.3 billion in 2023.
U.S. liquor store industry employment rose to 210,000 jobs in 2023.
Premiumization trend boosted U.S. liquor store market growth by 7.2% in 2023.
Number of chain liquor stores in U.S. grew 2.1% to 12,500 in 2023.
U.S. liquor store market penetration rate at 85% of adults in control states 2023.
Global liquor store outlets totaled 1.2 million in 2023, U.S. 4% share.
U.S. super-premium spirits market share in liquor stores rose to 22% in 2023.
Liquor store market in Texas expanded 5.3% to $4.8 billion in 2023.
U.S. liquor retailing CAGR 2018-2023 was 3.9% reaching $28.4 billion.
E-commerce share of U.S. liquor store sales increased to 5.2% in 2023.

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

The world appears to be pouring itself a very stiff drink, as evidenced by a global liquor market valued at $1.2 trillion, where even Nevada's impressive density of 12.4 stores per 10,000 adults can't quite keep up with America's relentless thirst for craft distillery output and premium spirits.

Operational Metrics

Average U.S. liquor store has 1,800 sq ft floor space in 2023.
U.S. liquor stores average 4.2 full-time employees per location in 2023.
Annual inventory turnover rate for liquor stores is 8.2 times in 2023.
Average operating hours for U.S. liquor stores: 11 hours/day, 6.5 days/week 2023.
Shrinkage rate (theft/loss) in liquor stores averaged 1.8% of sales in 2023.
POS systems adopted by 92% of U.S. liquor stores for age verification 2023.
Average cost of goods sold (COGS) for liquor stores 71.6% of revenue 2023.
U.S. liquor store electricity costs averaged $2,400 per year per store 2023.
Delivery services offered by 45% of urban liquor stores post-COVID 2023.
Average rent for prime location liquor store $45/sq ft annually in 2023.
Staff training hours per employee: 12 annually in top-performing stores 2023.
Self-checkout kiosks in 8% of large chain liquor stores in 2023.
Average stock levels: 1,200 SKUs per mid-size liquor store in 2023.
Security camera usage 98% in U.S. liquor stores, CCTV footage retention 30 days.
Waste recycling rate for packaging in liquor stores 65% in 2023.
Online inventory integration with in-store systems in 62% of stores 2023.
Peak hour sales volume 35% between 4-7 PM in liquor stores 2023.
Average transaction time at checkout: 2.1 minutes in 2023.
Energy-efficient lighting reduced costs 15% in 40% of stores 2023.

Operational Metrics Interpretation

The typical American liquor store is a tightly run, well-watched ship where a small crew, in a not-so-big box, deftly turns over a vast library of liquid assets at a brisk pace, all while carefully watching both the clock and the till.

Regulatory Environment

U.S. control states regulate 18% of liquor store sales volume in 2023.
Federal excise tax on distilled spirits is $13.50 per proof gallon as of 2023.
17 U.S. states operate as control states for liquor sales in 2023.
Minimum drinking age of 21 enforced nationwide via federal law since 1984.
California ABC licenses 15,000+ liquor stores under Type 20/21 licenses 2023.
TTB approved 2,100 new distilled spirits labels for retail in 2023.
Dry counties in U.S. number 83 affecting 5% of potential liquor store locations 2023.
EU alcohol advertising bans impact 28% of liquor store marketing budgets 2023.
U.S. states with Sunday sales bans reduced to 2 (Arkansas, Connecticut partial) 2023.
FDA warning labels required on alcohol but not enforced at retail level 2023.
Texas TABC issued 1,200 violations for underage sales in liquor stores 2023.
COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) processing time averaged 45 days in 2023.
10% of U.S. states require liquor store employees to complete responsible beverage training.
Import duties on spirits average 15% ad valorem in U.S. liquor supply chain 2023.
Pennsylvania PLCB controls 100% of liquor store operations as monopoly 2023.
WHO recommends limiting alcohol ads near schools, adopted by 12 U.S. states 2023.
Average liquor store licensing fee $1,200 annually in New York State 2023.
U.S. average inventory tax on liquor stores 0.5% of value in 25 states 2023.

Regulatory Environment Interpretation

Despite the dizzying patchwork of federal taxes, state monopolies, and local dry spells, America's liquor stores still manage to pour profits, one meticulously approved label and diligently monitored sale at a time.

Revenue and Sales

The U.S. liquor store industry revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from 2022 driven by premium spirits demand.
Liquor stores in the U.S. saw total sales of $27.9 billion in 2022, with craft spirits contributing 12% of volume sales.
Average annual revenue per liquor store in the U.S. was $1.2 million in 2023, varying by store size and location.
U.S. liquor retail sales grew by 5.1% year-over-year in Q4 2023, totaling $7.3 billion.
Off-premise liquor sales accounted for 65% of total U.S. alcohol revenue at $42.1 billion in 2023.
Premium liquor segment sales in U.S. liquor stores increased 8.7% to $9.8 billion in 2023.
U.S. liquor store chain average revenue was $45.6 million per outlet in 2022.
Total U.S. distilled spirits sales through liquor stores hit $25.6 billion in 2023.
Regional liquor store sales in California reached $6.2 billion in 2023, leading the nation.
U.S. independent liquor stores generated $18.7 billion in 2023, 66% of industry total.
Liquor store e-commerce sales in the U.S. surged 22% to $1.4 billion in 2023.
Average gross margin for U.S. liquor stores was 28.4% on $27.5 billion sales in 2023.
U.S. liquor store sales volume increased 4.2% to 450 million cases in 2023.
Tequila sales in U.S. liquor stores generated $4.1 billion in revenue in 2023.
U.S. liquor store holiday sales peaked at $3.9 billion in December 2023.
Independent U.S. liquor store revenue per square foot averaged $850 in 2023.
U.S. liquor store profit margins averaged 6.2% on $28 billion revenue in 2023.
Vodka category sales in U.S. liquor stores totaled $7.2 billion in 2023.
U.S. liquor store sales in urban areas contributed 72% of national revenue in 2023.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) sales in liquor stores reached $2.8 billion in 2023.

Revenue and Sales Interpretation

Americans, in a spirited display of prioritization, have clearly decided that a 22% surge in online booze shopping is just the efficient way to fund their journey toward ever-premium pours, which now fuel a surprisingly hearty 6.2% profit margin on a $28.4 billion national bender.

Sources & References

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