Ask any liquor store owner what's on their mind heading into 2026 and you'll hear the same themes: Costs are up, customers spend less per visit, and younger shoppers want something different than what their parents bought.
To understand how retailers are responding, we surveyed over 200 independent store owners across 26 states, analyzed anonymized sales data from 1,478 stores, and compiled the findings into our 2026 Liquor Retail Report.
74% of the store owners we surveyed said they're expanding their product selection in 2026.
So, which categories are winning their dollars?
First, let’s look at why changing your liquor store product mix matters in 2026.
Our report found that Q4 2025 liquor sales declined 3.3% year over year, with average basket size down 2.2%.
Customers are still coming in, but they’re spending less each visit — and that changes the strategy. Stores can’t rely on volume to protect margins, and simply stocking more of the same products isn’t enough.
Below is a breakdown of the categories liquor store owners plan to expand and what to consider when planning your shelves.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails were the top pick in our survey, and that matches what many liquor stores are seeing.
RTD beverages have been one of the fastest-growing alcohol segments in recent years, and they’re expected to keep growing globally through 2028.
But convenience is only part of the story.
Many shoppers are willing to pay more for premium RTDs with real spirits, strong branding, and trendy flavors like espresso martinis, ranch waters, and canned margaritas.
If you want to sell more RTD cocktails, stop treating them like a side category. Here’s how:
Related Read: Why Liquor Stores Are Doubling Down on RTD Cocktails in 2026
Tequila was a close second in our survey and remains one of the strongest growth stories in the category. That momentum could keep building, with experts naming the margarita the top trending alcoholic drink for 2026 in Bacardi’s Cocktail Trends Report.
The category’s long-term outlook is strong, too, with the global tequila market valued at $12.37 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $20.92 billion by 2034.
Tequila in general appeals to a wide range of shoppers, from party planners and cocktail fans to gift buyers and premium sippers.
Tequila shelves work best when they serve different budgets and occasions, so build them in three tiers:
Strong add-on items include margarita mix, salt, tajin, and fresh limes.
Whiskey remains one of the most reliable categories in liquor retail.
It has a loyal customer base across bourbon, Irish whiskey, rye, Scotch, and Canadian whisky — and it continues to perform well as both a gifting category and a premium purchase.
But heading into 2026, the opportunity is shifting. It may be less about adding volume and more about refining what’s already on the shelf.
Many liquor stores expanded their bourbon selections during the boom years, and in some cases, that’s led to crowded shelves filled with similar mid-tier bottles and slow-moving SKUs.
Run a POS report and look for:
Then, make room for:
Wine ranked fourth in our survey and remains important, but the category is changing.
With limited shelf space and tighter margins, many retailers are focusing less on expanding selection and more on emphasizing the bottles that consistently perform best at key price points.
Use POS data to review:
Then, make the shelves easier to shop with signs like:
Vodka ranked fifth in our survey.
It may not be the trendiest category, but it remains one of the most dependable volume categories in many stores. Vodka still performs well for parties, home cocktails, and shoppers who want a familiar option.
The better opportunity is not simply adding more mainstream labels.
Look for smarter gaps like:
Use local sales data to decide how much space vodka deserves.
Related Read: 6 Essential Products for Your Liquor Store Inventory List
The remaining categories on our survey list — nonalcoholic (NA) beer, soju and sake, and craft beer — didn't generate the same consensus. But they do represent opportunities depending on your customer base.
Here are a few worth having on your radar:
This blog only scratches the surface.
Behind these category shifts are bigger forces reshaping how customers shop, what drives margin, and how independent liquor stores stay competitive. The retailers who see what's coming will be the ones who act on it first.
Read the full Bottle POS Liquor Retail Report today to get ahead of the curve.