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Bemakers, the trusted distribution partner for ambitious beverage alcohol brands, announces its newly secured status as a supplier to Vinmonopolet, Norway’s state-owned liquor retail monopoly. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Bemakers' expansion across Scandinavian monopolies, providing brand owners direct access to the primary retail outlets in Sweden and now also Norway.
As a non-profit, state-owned company, Vinmonopolet holds the exclusive rights to retail alcoholic beverages over 4.75 percent in Norway. Mirroring the system in Sweden, this monopoly is the sole gateway for alcohol brands to directly reach Norwegian consumers, making it an essential channel for any brand entering the Norwegian market.
"Securing supplier status with Vinmonopolet exemplifies Bemakers' dedicated commitment to enabling access to the monopoly markets and empowering international brands to enter the Norwegian market. This achievement reinforces our role in the Scandinavian alcohol industry." — Morten Stengaard, Co-founder and CEO of Bemakers.
Succeeding in Norway, however, demands more than mere listing on Vinmonopolet; it requires a strategic approach encompassing multi-channel engagement and targeted market activities. Given Norway's regulatory landscape as a monopoly state, effective on-trade activation becomes paramount.
Norway's non-membership in the EU introduces additional operational complexities, particularly concerning customs and trade regulations. Bemakers handles this complexity as part of the core offering, and combined with the recent supplier status in Vinmonopolet, the previous 'barriers' to the Norwegian market are now substantially less for any brand wanting to enter the market.
A key component of Bemakers' Norwegian operational set-up is the opening of a dedicated Norwegian warehouse that will handle orders from Vinmonopolet as well as the on-trade. With the multiple warehouse functionality that Bemakers provide, brands get access to strategically located warehouses and can configure their order handling ecosystem to optimize costs and 'time to delivery'.
"Our Norwegian warehouse strategically positions products to increase margins for the brands and logistical efficiency, ensuring optimal service for Norwegian consumers and trade customers" elaborates Morten Stengaard.
Bemakers continues its Nordic expansion, aiming to become a supplier to Finland’s Alko later this year. This strategic growth aligns with their goal to become the go-to partner for brands entering all Nordic markets.
About Vinmonopolet
Vinmonopolet is a non-profit, state-owned company with exclusive rights to retail alcoholic beverages in Norway. As society's most important tool for ensuring responsible alcohol sales, Vinmonopolet plays a vital role in the global alcohol industry.
About Bemakers
Bemakers is the trusted partner for ambitious alcohol brands seeking global expansion. The company simplifies distribution by automating complex excise duties, tax, customs, and shipping procedures, allowing clients to focus on crafting and marketing exceptional products. With a growing roster of over 150 alcohol brands, Bemakers is the preferred choice for international beverage distribution.
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