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NSW | ACT news




Check the latest news and advocacy work from the New South Wales and ACT Spirits Industry.

Click below on the relevant news feed.


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  • Wrap-Up: eComm Know-How with Will Edwards of Archie Rose

    28 Oct 2024 10:07 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Key Insights from the Archie Rose eCommerce Webinar with Will Edwards

    Thank you to everyone who joined us for the recent NSW | ACT Distillers eCommerce webinar, hosted by Will Edwards of Archie Rose. For those who couldn’t make it here are some key takeaways.

    1. Avoid Custom Websites:

    • Lesson from Archie Rose: Archie Rose initially spent big on a custom website, which they later realised was expensive and difficult to maintain, and made future growth and integrations more challenging.
    • Recommendation: Instead, use platforms like Shopify for flexibility, ease of use, and compatibility with various plugins and third-party tools. It’s more scalable and cost-effective, especially for small to medium-sized distilleries.

    2. Value of E-Commerce:

    • E-Commerce Growth: In their first years, only a very small amount of Archie Rose’s sales came from e-commerce. However, over the past five years, this has grown to 20-30% of their total sales.
    • Recommendation: Prioritise e-commerce. Direct-to-consumer sales provide control over brand presentation, higher margins, and diversification from wholesale dependency.

    3. Mailing List is Key:

    • Competitions for Growth: Competitions have been one of the most consistent ways for Archie Rose to build their mailing list. Collaborating with other brands on joint competitions has also allowed them to reach new audiences while offering mutual benefits to both partners.
    • Pro Tip: Run your own competitions or partner with brands that have similar but different audiences. This cross-promotion helps both parties grow their mailing lists.

    4. Pre-Sale Subscriptions:

    • Subscription for Out-of-Stock Products: Offering a subscription option for customers to be notified when popular items are back in stock or available for presale helps build anticipation and secure early interest.
    • Action Point: Add “notify me” features for out-of-stock items and use pre-sale sign-ups to capture leads early before a product is launched.

    5. Segment Your Mailing List:

    • Targeted Campaigns: Archie Rose sends highly targeted email campaigns by segmenting their audience into groups such as gin lovers, whiskey enthusiasts, high spenders, and seasonal buyers. This segmentation increases engagement and conversions.
    • Best Practice: Don’t send the same email to your entire list. Instead, segment your customers based on their purchasing behaviour and interests. This will ensure they receive relevant content that encourages higher engagement and sales.

    6. Managing Inventory with E-Commerce:

    • Handling Slow-Moving Stock: E-commerce allows Archie Rose to manage slow-moving or seasonal stock without discounting heavily in the wholesale market, which could cause conflicts or negative perceptions. Instead, they run targeted promotions directly on their website to move inventory.
    • Advice: Use your e-commerce platform to run flash sales, bundle offers, or buy-one-get-one promotions to move surplus stock while maintaining margin integrity.

    7. Lessons from Early Mistakes:

    • Mailing List Oversight: Archie Rose initially did not prioritise building a mailing list and relied heavily on social media for customer engagement. In hindsight, email marketing has proven to be a stronger tool for customer retention and direct sales.
    • Takeaway: Start building your mailing list as early as possible. It’s a valuable asset for driving repeat business and communicating directly with your most engaged customers.


  • Exhibitor Opportunities: Sydney Royal Easter Show 2024

    30 Sep 2024 12:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Calling all distillers! The Sydney Royal Easter Show, Australia’s largest annual ticketed event, is just around the corner. With over 854,000 attendees on average, this is a prime opportunity to showcase your spirits, connect with new customers, and build brand awareness. Whether you’re launching a new product or growing your customer base, the Sydney Royal Easter Show provides unmatched exposure.

    Exhibitor opportunities are still available—find out more below.

    FIND OUT MORE


  • Celebrating Excellence: Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show

    30 Sep 2024 12:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    A huge congratulations to all the winners at the inaugural Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show, hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. With 14 champions crowned across categories ranging from traditional gin to single malt whisky, it was a showcase of the remarkable talent and passion across Australia’s distilling scene.

    Highlights include:

    • St Agnes Distillery took home the top honor with their XO Grand Reserve Brandy, scoring an impressive 98/100 and winning Best Distilled Spirit of Show.
    • Manly Spirits Co earned double honors, winning Champion Vodka and Champion NSW Distilled Spirit for their Grape & Grain Vodka, a remarkable blend showcasing local craftsmanship at its finest.
    • Regional distillers shone brightly, with standout gins from Lord Howe Island, Yamba, and Central Coast taking home champion prizes.

    The competition saw over 270 entries, with 88% of those entries receiving medals, a testament to the quality being produced by Australian distillers. For those craving more details, all the results can be found below.

    RESULTS


  • NSW Small Business Month is Here!

    30 Sep 2024 11:58 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    October is NSW Small Business Month—a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your skills, network, and expand your knowledge. This year’s program includes a range of events tailored to help small businesses thrive, plus a series of expos taking place across eight regions. Whether you're looking for networking opportunities or expert-led workshops, NSW Small Business Month has something for you.

    Explore the full program and register below.

    FULL PROGRAM


  • Wrap-Up: Dollars making Sense

    30 Sep 2024 11:57 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    A massive thank you to Cam Hogan, founder of Dollars Making Sense and CFO for hire, for delivering a fantastic webinar on financial mastery. The presentation made navigating the world of dollars and cents feel much easier. If you missed it or want a refresher, the slides are available here.

  • More from Destination NSW

    19 Aug 2024 7:54 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Check out Destination NSW website as they deliver online webinars that offer ‘how-to’ insights on a range of topics for visitor economy businesses.


    Events Run By Destination NSW

    The NSW Visitor Economy Forum is returning for 2024, with the event to take place on Thursday 3 October at the ICC Sydney.

    Registrations are now open for the full-day event, which will provide visitor economy stakeholders with an opportunity to come together, share insights and hear from industry experts to further understand what will shape the year ahead and drive growth in the NSW visitor economy.

    In 2023, NSW Visitor Economy Forum participants heard from representatives from Google, McCrindle, Tourism Australia and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner alongside industry leaders in events, wellness travel, culinary experiences and more.

    The forum is free to attend and open to all visitor economy stakeholders including operators, trade partners, industry representatives and government colleagues.


  • Community Building: Join Us on Facebook!

    19 Aug 2024 7:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We're all about fostering a strong, supportive community among our distillers, and our private Facebook group is the perfect place to connect. It's a space just for us, where you can share stories, ask questions, and support each other as we navigate the exciting world of distilling. Remember, it’s a members-only space, so feel free to share your experiences and insights! Find us on Facebook search NSW & ACT Distillers and answer the questions to join.


  • Market Opportunities with Organic Food Markets

    19 Aug 2024 6:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We’re pleased to share an exciting opportunity for distillers to join the vibrant scene at Organic Food Markets across various locations. Whether you're interested in becoming a permanent stallholder or just want to pop in occasionally, there’s a spot for you. The markets offer a fantastic platform to showcase your products directly to consumers, and with the added foot traffic, it's a win-win!

    Here are the weekly market details:

    • Marrickville Market (Every Sunday) - Permanent: $185 | Casual: $195
    • The Beaches Market, North Narrabeen (Every Friday) - Permanent: $165 | Casual: $175
    • Kings Cross Market (Every Saturday) - Permanent: $185 | Casual: $195
    • Orange Grove Market (Every Saturday) - Permanent: $200 | Casual: $215
    • Mona Vale Market at Pittwater RSL (Every Sunday) - Permanent: $155 | Casual: $165
    • Ramsgate Farmers Market (Every Saturday) - Permanent: $165 | Casual: $185
    • St Ives Farmers Market (Every Saturday) - Flat rate: $80

    Additionally, there's a special opportunity to trade at the Mona Vale Spring Festival on Monday, 7th October (Public Holiday) from 10 AM to 4 PM. The stall fee is $250 for the day.

    To secure your spot, you can book through the Organic Food Markets website or contact their office directly.


  • Congratulations to Byron Bay Spirits!

    19 Aug 2024 6:50 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    A huge shoutout to Byron Bay Spirits for receiving funding from Investment NSW. This support will help them showcase their innovative products to global buyers, expand their export reach, and create new jobs and opportunities right here at home. They’ll be taking centre stage at the Fine Food Australia 2024 tradeshow.

    You can read more about their success here, and don't forget to check out their offerings at Byron Bay Spirits.


  • Wrap-Up: Under Bond Event at Brix Distillery

    19 Aug 2024 6:47 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We had an absolute blast at the Under Bond event! It was fantastic to see so many of you there, sharing your experiences and enjoying the camaraderie that makes our distilling community so special. Thanks to those that brought along some great spirits for us all to try! And a HUGE thank you to Brix Distillers for hosting at your fabulous venue. A couple of snaps from the night!





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