The beverage alcohol industry is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. Across the country, wholesalers are rationalizing brands, trimming SKU counts, and shifting portfolio priorities. Large players are consolidating, overhead costs are rising, and many wholesalers simply cannot support the long tail of emerging or niche brands the way they once did.
For Makers, this can feel destabilizing. A brand that once had strong distribution support may suddenly find itself deprioritized, shuffled, or even removed entirely from a wholesaler’s portfolio. Placements disappear. Chain authorizations shift. Buyers who love your products can’t reorder because the wholesaler no longer carries you. It’s frustrating—and it’s happening everywhere.
But this is exactly the environment LibDib was built for.
A Modern Distribution Model for a Changing Industry
LibDib is—and always has been—an open, accessible pathway to three-tier distribution for any compliant brand. Whether you’re an established label suddenly facing a wholesaler change or a growing Maker searching for your first market, LibDib provides immediate, reliable access.
With LibDib, you can:
- Stay in the market even if your current distributor rationalizes your brand
- Serve existing accounts without interruption
- Maintain visibility and availability for Buyers who want your products
- Control your own brand story and relationships
- Expand into new markets when you’re ready
And whether distribution via LibDib is a temporary bridge or a long-term strategy, the point is: you have an option. Your products stay available. Your business keeps moving. Buyers can continue buying what they love.
The industry may be tightening, but LibDib remains open—always.
California: A Closer Look at a Crowded, Shifting Market
California is experiencing its own unique pressures. In recent months, many wholesalers took on an enormous wave of new brands—some with strong existing sales, others with big expectations for growth. As the market tightens, wholesalers are now prioritizing high-volume brands and reallocating resources.
This means:
- Long-tail brands may receive little to no attention
- Smaller suppliers may be rationalized out of portfolios
- Competing brands within the same distributor may replace existing placements
- Great products risk losing momentum—not because of demand, but because of limited bandwidth
For Makers, this can be devastating. But it doesn’t have to be.
Own your Buyer relationships. Keep your products available. Use LibDib as your California distribution solution—whether temporarily or permanently.
Through LibDib, your cases can continue flowing to the accounts that love and support your brand. You maintain control, stay active in the market, and preserve the critical relationships you’ve worked hard to build.
A Stable Path Forward—No Matter What’s Changing Around You
The industry will continue to evolve. Wholesalers will continue to reshape portfolios. But LibDib remains consistent, flexible, and committed to one core mission:
Every wine and spirits brand deserves access to distribution.
You can come to LibDib anytime—whether you’re expanding, transitioning, rebuilding, or simply maintaining your market presence. We’re here to support your growth, your relationships, and your goals.
If you’re facing changes with your current wholesaler or want to explore new distribution opportunities, we’re ready when you are.
Sign up, add your offerings, and let’s keep your products in front of Buyers who want them.
