Interview, Part 2: David Jabour Of Texas Retail Giant Twin Liquors
October 13, 2023In the second part of our interview, David Jabour, co-owner of 103-store Texas chain Twin Liquors, discusses the markets for wine and RTDs in the Lone Star state, as well as marketing initiatives, the labor situation, and expansion plans moving forward.
SND: What trends are you seeing within wine?
Jabour: If it sparkles and it’s bubbly, it’s doing very well. Consumers are increasingly intrigued by incorporating value-priced sparkling wine into cocktails, and that’s contributed to the continued growth of sparkling wine. While there are some challenges with the availability of Champagne today, many consumers are looking for value. That’s why Prosecco, Cava, and French sparkling wines continue to grow. Beyond sparklers, Sauvignon Blanc continues to be explosive, with demand not just limited to wines from New Zealand, but from the U.S., Spain, South Africa, and the southwest region of France. Moreover, consumers are increasingly curious about Sancerre from the Loire Valley.
SND: How are RTD cocktails performing in your stores?
Jabour: They’re growing, and again, weather has had a lot to do with it. Although there has been an onslaught of new products, sales and velocity remain concentrated among a handful of brands.
SND: With the rise in digital and social marketing, how are you best communicating with your consumers today?
Jabour: We seek to balance digital marketing with events and traditional media. We have to consider how the consumer wants to talk to us and how we want to communicate with the consumer. Digital is a great way to communicate with certain market segments. Email is another way, and print’s not dead. Events such as tastings and curated events in partnership with our suppliers that feature master distillers and brand ambassadors are a great way to educate and engage with our customers.
SND: How are staffing levels at your stores?
Jabour: Fortunately, staffing is more balanced now than it has been in several years. We’re in a very stable labor environment.
SND: What’s on the horizon for Twin Liquors?
Jabour: We recently opened our last new store of the year, and plan to complete some renovations and expansions this quarter and into early next year. There are also some new stores in our classic markets on the books for 2024. And members of the fourth generation of Jabours are now active in some form or fashion of the business while refining their skill sets for the future.
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