Tasty trends in the wine industry

According to a report published by Statista in January, wine e-commerce is a relatively new market that weaves the age-old tradition of winemaking with tools provided by modern tech.

In the French market, in 2012 around 12 per cent of consumers bought wine online. Wine e-commerce user penetration steadily increased in the following years, reaching 46 per cent in 2021. This rate eventually decreased to 33 per cent in 2024, as the pandemic lockdowns that spurred online spending came to an end. More conventional sommeliers and wine lovers would argue that e-commerce platforms could never substitute the pleasure associated with entering a wine bar and mulling over an exquisite variety of choice before choosing a bottle to take home.

However, the global wine market in the post-pandemic era seems to be defined by a shopping experience touching multiple channels, including out-of-home consumption. Consumers will always go to wine bars, but they may also be tempted by the product range, promotional offers and otherwise difficult to find wine brands and varieties offered exclusively by online retailers.

According to the Global Online Wine market research report in 2023, from 2017 to 2023, online wine sales doubled from $1.4 billion to $3.5 billion. This boom is the result of changing shopping habits, especially during the pandemic, when sales were conducted smoothly thanks to online platforms. It is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate between 2023 and 2031.

The wine e-commerce industry is expected to continue its evolution, with digital technology and customer-centric strategies playing pivotal roles in shaping consumer experiences and preferences. Brands that quickly adapt to these changes, focusing on personalised and technologically advanced marketing strategies, are likely to thrive in the coming year.

In the bloom of e-commerce platforms and the wine e-commerce industry, the return of physical events alike Vinexpo Asia promises to bring new excitement to the industry. Explaining the optimistic estimates, Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, said, “Our company recognises the importance of technology and the usage of mobile devices. As such we have an Online Matching Service that brings the right buyers and producers together and allows them to plan their meetings in advance.”

However, physical events are still significant in the wine and spirits industry, as they allow the community to connect, build trust, and taste the products which cannot be replaced by digital devices. “The digital experiences we provide to our customers are done to enhance and enrich their overall experience and engagement with Vinexposium,” Lameyse added. “Everything is in place to ensure this year’s Vinexpo Asia remains the industry’s most powerful meeting place, ready to strengthen the unique bond that has existed between Vinexposium and Hong Kong for more than 25 years.”

F&B is still a game for TOP brands With a growth rate of more than 10 per cent per year, the food and beverage market is still a vibrant playground led by big brands.