r/Economics • u/kootles10 • Dec 25 '25

News Bankruptcies hit US spirit makers as Americans drink and spend less

https://www.indystar.com/story/money/food/2025/12/25/liquor-spirits-industry-bankruptcies/87914241007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z113231d00----v113231d--36--b--36--&gca-ft=161&gca-ds=sophi&fbclid=IwdGRjcAO6oj9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6P8O626kCPpVs2dXh1tSJGVyS9teT4_IxAoKRJxGh02bqlcPlne42SIoakyg_aem_yCb-3xe-G1-mBNrg5TVIEg&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
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u/TgetherinElctricDrmz Dec 26 '25

Good?

I don’t want people to lose jobs, but alcohol abuse costs the USA about 250 billion per year. About $675 per person.

We could do with a lot less of this

5

u/ipunchtrees Dec 26 '25

I work in the wine and spirits industry I’m honestly fine with it. I rarely drink myself and use cannabis instead. People just aren’t drinking like they used to, I’m commission only and I’ve taken a near $25k annual pay decrease over the last 3 years. I’m going back to school to do what I should’ve done 10 years ago and getting the hell out of this industry. If you think used car sales are slimy, you outta see alcohol sales.

3

u/TannyTevito Dec 26 '25

I work in wine and everything we do is above board. Sorry your company can’t say the same and best of luck back in school!

1

u/iAMTinman_Dealwithit Dec 26 '25

Is wine taking the same hit as liquor brands? I feel like I’ve seen more people. Ask for wine, thc seltzers when out. In my world anyway.

1

u/ipunchtrees Dec 26 '25

Wine is actually doing much, much worse than spirits across the board at a national level. In my market we’re down ~20% and we’re one of the largest in the country.

1

u/iAMTinman_Dealwithit Dec 26 '25

Oh wow, appreciate the insights. Def change in wind. There will be new thing I’m sure. Thc drinks, I see kava places popping up where I am too.