Global travel retail launch for Stoli® Gluten Free following high demand in US

Stoli® Gluten Free Vodka receives its global travel retail launch at TFWA World Exhibition & Conference this year, following a tremendous initial introducing into the US market. First shown to regional buyers at the Duty Free Show of the Americas to coincide with its domestic launch, the company reports that the Gluten Free variation has received very positive initial feedback from distributors, retailers, and bartenders, receiving a 92 rating from the BTI (Beverage Testing Institute).

Since April 2016, over 8,000 x 9L cases of Stoli® Gluten Free have been sold in the US, with distribution in over 12,300 outlets, of which 6,900 on-premise outlets are responsible for 25% of sales. It is doing especially well in New York City - proving the leading location in terms of volume and distribution points. Florida comes in 2nd place followed by Texas.

The launch of Stoli® Gluten Free continues Stoli® Group’s commitment to innovation and pioneering heritage. Made with 88 percent corn and 12 percent buckwheat, Stoli® Gluten Free has been introduced not just to meet the needs of gluten-free consumers, but to address a growing lifestyle demand.

Says Dayna Dennington, Regional Director Duty Free North and Central America, Stoli® Group: “We are absolutely delighted with the feedback so far, our high expectations have been met and we expect sales to continue growing throughout the year. In regards to US Duty Free, we have officially launched Stoli® Gluten Free with Starboard cruise lines and will be launching it in airports through Dufry in Q4 with a large concourse activation in Las Vegas Airport in November. Q4 will also see the addition of a 1.5L bottle.”

Stoli® Gluten Free can be seen and tried on the new, enlarged Stoli® Group (Beach Village Stand 02). Says Jean-Philippe Aucher, Stoli® Group Global Duty Free & Travel Retail Director: “With such phenomenal results already seen in the US, I am confident that Stoli® Gluten Free will prove itself to be another hit  within our travel retail portfolio. Retailers are already asking when they will be able to have it onshelf, so I am expecting a busy week in Cannes this year!“

About Stoli Group
Stoli Group (headquartered in Luxembourg) was established in 2013 as the division that is responsible for the production, management and distribution of SPI Group's global spirit portfolio - the iconic Stolichnaya® Premium vodka range, elit® Vodka and Moskovskaya®. With operational business units across 3 continents and distribution in 167 countries, the group is led by a multi-national management team with key office locations in Europe, USA and China.

With almost 1 bottle of Stolichnaya® Premium vodka sold every second, each one defines the benchmark for quality with a meticulously crafted liquid that meets the highest alcohol standards - Alpha Spirit. Stoli’s exceptional purity is achieved by controlling the process from grain to bottle, using only the highest quality ingredients and processes in the Group’s own,  ultra-modern raw alcohol distillery in Tambov. The spirit then travels to Latvijas Balzams where it is blended with artesian water, quadruple filtered and bottled to become Stolichnaya® - as it has since 1938.

For more information visit www.stoli-group.com and www.stoli.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/stoli and on Twitter @Stoli