ACE BEVERAGE GROUP: Ben Gallagher
Ben Gallagher
Director of Sales
Ace Beverage Group
What trends are shaping summer 2025 for RTDs?
Consumers are increasingly prioritizing Canadian-made and local brands, making homegrown options like Cottage Springs more important than ever to stock. Summer 2025 is all about stock-up formats. Whether it's a cottage weekend, backyard barbecue, or park hang, shoppers are looking for larger pack sizes that are cold, convenient and ready to go. Multi-packs and king cans continue to gain momentum in these high-consumption occasions, while single cans remain key for trial and impulse purchases.
Sessionability is a must during the warmer months. Light, refreshing, and low-sugar beverages are top of mind, with consumers reaching for drinks they can enjoy all day. As always, hot weather and long weekends drive velocity, making inventory planning and cold availability more critical than ever.
What products do you expect to be hot sellers this summer?
The full Cottage Springs lineup continues to perform exceptionally well in the summer, but there are a few clear standouts. Cottage Springs Dock Day (36583) is built for long weekends and time on the water, while Real Juice Vodka Water (42413) delivers clean, non-carbonated refreshment made with real juice. For city parks and festivals, the new Wild Cherry Vodka Soda King Can (44720) is the perfect grab-and-go companion.
What new innovations are hitting shelves?
Ace Beverage Group has launched several innovations designed for summer drinking occasions. The new Cottage Springs Rocket Berry 4L Bag-in-Box (42276) is ideal for sharing, easy to chill, and a hit for group settings. Cottage Springs Real Juice Vodka Water (42413) is gaining momentum with consumers looking for still, juice-based options.
Additionally, we’ve launched several private channel exclusives: Cottage Springs Ontario Peach Vodka Soda 473ml (43847), Cottage Springs Wild Cherry Vodka Soda King Can (44720), and Cottage Springs Punched Up Cherry Limeade 473ml (44868), each offering something new to meet different shopper needs.
What’s driving consumer choices in this category?
Consumers continue to seek out better-for-you options—products that are lower in sugar, calories, and carbs. At the same time, there’s strong interest in higher ABV offerings, especially around the 7% mark. These products deliver more impact with fewer cans, making them convenient for social occasions without compromising flavour or refreshment.
Advice for convenience retailers going into their first RTD summer?
RTDs significantly over-index during the summer months compared to beer and wine, so this is the season to prioritize space and inventory. Hot weather and long weekends drive high consumption, so it’s important to order in advance and stay well-stocked.
Retailers should focus on merchandising cold, larger-format options like king cans to encourage upsell. It’s also a great time to re-evaluate planograms and shift space from slower-moving beer SKUs to fast-growing RTDs.
How are you supporting convenience retailers this summer?
Ace Beverage Group offers direct delivery with $0 delivery fees and no minimum case quantities, which helps enhance retailer margin and ensure more frequent, flexible service. We’re also running a Golden Can Contest with a chance to win a jet ski, driving excitement and foot traffic around Cottage Springs Weekender and Punched Up Vodka Soda.
Retailers can also take advantage of our AGCO-compliant value-add programs designed to increase basket size and encourage repeat purchase. We’re here to help stores maximize performance during this critical summer window.
What snacks pair well with your offerings?
RTDs are a natural fit for grab-and-go snacking. Salty snacks like chips, popcorn, and pretzels pair well with sessionable drinks. BBQ kits or hot dogs make a great companion for larger formats and group occasions. For late-night cravings, sour gummies or chocolate-covered almonds are always a hit.
RTD is the summer category. Make sure you’re ordering early, allocating sufficient shelf space, and keeping formats cold and visible. Sales can spike quickly during long weekends and warm stretches—being ready for those moments is key to capturing every opportunity.
