15: Nick Bodkins of Boisson on Building the Non-Alc Retail Category - Business of Drinks

Remember the lockdowns? It was a time when too many people spent their time drinking too much. But Nick Bodkins’ wife was pregnant, so he gave up alcohol in solidarity. And, immediately, he confronted a problem that needed to be solved — non-alcoholic beverage options for adults who want something more sophisticated than a soda to drink. So he took the leap and created Boisson, a chain of non-alc stores with a DtC arm — and he’s secured more than $34 million in funding, including a recent $5 million investment from Pernod Ricard’s Convivialite Ventures. In this episode he tells us why the non-alc category is exploding; why non-alc creators need to think in terms of occasions, rather than flavors; and why the way forward is to build a “Sephora of drinks,” because this is a space where consumers are looking to get their problems solved, rather than looking for particular brands. Nick also discusses why bars and restaurants are crying out for these products. Above all, Nick says, follow the data. Boisson targets customers based on their browsing and purchasing behavior to drive sales and boost engagement.  As always, we follow the money and ask where the opportunities are in the dynamic non-alcohol space.  Brands mentioned in this episode: Proxies Studio Null Leitz Oceano Zero Pathfinder Ghia Three Spirit Aplos Wilfred’s  Heineken 0.0 Stay tuned for our next episode dropping on December 13.  Shoutout to our sponsor! A big round of thanks to AccelPay — a leading ecommerce solution for bev-alc brands. From a one-tap, compliant checkout to comprehensive sales data, AccelPay has you covered and can make your existing website a storefront. For an exclusive 10% off your account, visit: https://www.accelpay.io/bod Business of Drinks is more than a podcast — we’re also a strategic content consultancy for drinks brands and platforms. Learn more about us at Businessofdrinks.com About Erica Duecy, host: Erica Duecy is co-founder of Business of Drinks, a podcast and content consultancy, and one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies. She also has led digital editorial teams at Architectural Digest and Saveur magazines. Her content, podcast, and video programs have won more than 40 digital and editorial awards. She is a WSET Advanced-certified wine and spirits communicator, and author of the cocktail book Storied Sips (Random House), about the real-life stories behind the world’s most famous cocktails.  To learn more about Erica Duecy: https://www.instagram.com/ericaduecy/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-duecy-4a35844/ https://twitter.com/ericaduecy   About Felicity Carter, host: Felicity Carter is co-founder of Business of Drinks, a podcast and content consultancy. Also the Editorial Director of Areni Global, the London-based fine wine think tank, she was previously Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, a trade magazine she built into a global must-read, with subscribers in 38 countries. She is a regular media commentator, appearing on platforms as diverse as CNN, France24 and the New York Times, and has consulted to New Zealand Wine and the Dutch government. Felicity is an international wine judge as well as a regular keynote speaker at the wine industry’s biggest conferences and events. Her work has appeared in The GuardianUS, The Sydney Morning Herald and numerous other publications.  To learn more about Felicity Carter: https://twitter.com/felicitycarter https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicity-carter-a5754380/ https://www.instagram.com/carter.felicity/ And if you like what you heard, help us spread the word! Follow Business of Drinks, and rate and review our episodes on any platform where you’re listening. It helps us find new listeners. Thank you!

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