The impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic have been far reaching across the drinks industry, from producer to supplier to the on- and off-premise.
With the continuation of Level 4 in Auckland for at least another week, many liquor businesses are struggling financially.
“Businesses are carrying and increasing debt to cover costs while either earning nothing or earning less than break even,” says Hospitality New Zealand.
Two New Zealand directories continue to promote those who deliver goods and services during the lockdown and beyond.
Good to Go was launched in April last year and includes more than 70 liquor producers around the country, both big and small – including Good George Brewing, Neudorf Vineyards, 1919 Distilling and Three Wise Birds Cider.
The directory is open for registration to any Kiwi business that meets the Government’s essential services definition.
Delivereat, created by Auckland businessman Denym Bird, features more than 200 New Zealand liquor producers – from breweries, to distillers, to wineries – that are delivering during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond.
“I created it as an initiative to help small businesses all across New Zealand during lockdown,” Bird told The Shout NZ in 2020.
“After my small business Paintvine, and my marketing agency Hypergiant – and many of my hospitality clients – were heavily affected due to the COVID-19 lockdown, [it was a way] that I could support other small businesses that were also being heavily affected.”
Other ways to help support local businesses include:
- Visiting the websites for wineries, breweries or distilleries and ordering straight from the website.
- Ordering directly from your local liquor store.
- Buying gift vouchers for yourself or as gifts for friends and family.
- Promoting brands through social media.
If you know of any initiatives to boost sales that Kiwi liquor businesses have put in place to promote themselves following lockdown, please email ccowan@intermedianz.co.nz.
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