Tequila Sales Boom During COVID-19 Lockdown

I'm guilty of it, and perhaps you are as well.  Drinking and Zoom Calling, that is!  The COVID-19 lockdown and stay at home order has led to a lot of people finding alternative ways to do business and keep in touch with friends and family, and one application that has taken advantage of this time, is Zoom.  The popular app that lets you do a multi-person Facetime is becoming a popular “Happy Hour App” where people socialize, catch up, and have a few cocktails.  Looking back at last weekend's Zoom Call mix of White Claw and Casamigos, it's easy to see why tequila sales are way up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why Tequila Sales are Up During COVID-19

This should be common knowledge – we are all confined to our homes and many of us have a lot of extra time on our hands.  For me, it's really nothing new, other than the fact that I can't do my normal routines that have to do with banking, the gym, dining out, and happy hour at an actual bar!  Well, let's also throw in the random trip to get dry cleaning, see the dentist, acupuncture, and the biggest time suck – being a soccer Dad!  With dozens of hours opening up each week, there is a lot of down time that leads us to simply do what we do best – drink tequila!

However, if you were one to doubt that tequila sales would rise during this pandemic, a report on CBS Los Angeles backs up my above statement and personal opinion that more tequila is being consumed now than during more normal, uninterrupted times.

Total alcohol sales were up 22% for the week ending March 28 compared to the same period a year ago, according to Nielsen data.

While everyone anticipated the alcohol consumption to rise thanks in part to delivery services being more prominent, the biggest niche segment in booze was the hard seltzer market.  The sales of these popular drinks, such as Truly and White Claw, rocketed up 327% when compared to periods prior to COVID-19.

After that, the next biggest gainer in the booze market was tequila, gin, and whiskey, which all grew at a 45% clip.