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Beverage Wholesaling in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Melanie Katz Melanie Katz Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: September 2024 WZ G46.34DE

Revenue

€23.7bn

2024

€23.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

44,801

Businesses

3,251

Wages

€X.Xbn

Beverage Wholesaling in Germany industry analysis

The beverage wholesale industry consists mainly of small and medium-sized companies that cooperate with each other to increase their competitiveness. The demand for wholesale beverages is primarily influenced by consumer trends such as increasing health awareness, disposable household income, major sporting events and the demand for alternative products. Due to the pandemic-related slump in sales in the catering sector and the tendency of retailers to bypass wholesalers, industry sales fell by an average of 3.4% per year in the period from 2019 to 2024. For 2024, IBISWorld is forecasting sales of 23.7 billion euros, which corresponds to a decline of 1% compared to the previous year.The decline in sales in recent years can be attributed to the coronavirus crisis and the falling consumption of soft drinks and alcohol, which is partly a result of the current health trend. One factor that had a rather positive effect on industry sales was the rising sales of supermarkets and discounters, which are the most important customers of beverage wholesalers. However, the tendency of upstream and downstream sectors to bypass the wholesale trade is increasing the pressure on the prices of sector products. To mitigate these negative influences, more and more industry players are joining forces or entering into partnerships with competitors or companies in the upstream and downstream sectors.For the period from 2024 to 2029, IBISWorld expects an average decline in turnover of 0.2% per year and a turnover of EUR 23.4 billion in 2029. Competition among industry players and price pressure from upstream and downstream industries is likely to lead to further market exits in the coming years and thus to a decline in the number of companies and businesses.

Trends and Insights

  • More and more food retailers are bypassing wholesalers by launching their own brands, for the distribution of which they do not need the help of sector companies. In addition, direct trade between beverage manufacturers and retailers or the catering trade is becoming increasingly common for branded products.
  • Increasing health awareness is causing demand for beer and other alcoholic beverages to fall. Drinks with a high sugar content such as lemonades, soft drinks and juices are also increasingly being replaced by low-sugar alternatives or water.
  • Most beverage wholesalers are located in regions with a large population. The end consumers determine demand through supermarkets and restaurants. This is why the centre and south regions have the largest number of wholesalers in the sector.
  • Most often, wholesalers in this sector are replaced by direct trade between manufacturers and food retailers. The latter can save costs by cutting out wholesalers as intermediaries.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €23.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is on the decline

  • As a result of the current trend towards a healthier diet, consumption of some product groups sold by beverage wholesalers is declining.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Beverage Wholesaling in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The recovery in the catering and event industry ensures stable sales growth

  • The catering and event sectors are important customers for beverage wholesalers. In particular, the turnover generated with beer is dependent on beverage sales in the catering trade and at concerts, sporting and other events.

Biggest companies in the Beverage Wholesaling in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Get N GmbH & Co. KG
1,876.2
DGL GmbH & Co. KG
1,317.3
Trinks GmbH
1,241.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Beverage Wholesaling in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Beers, Waters and Lemonades and soft drinks. Beers is the largest segment of the Beverage Wholesaling in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Increasing health awareness has led to a decline in beer sales

  • This product segment includes beer, strong beer, draught beer, mixed beer drinks and low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this sector engage in the wholesale of beer, wine, sparkling wine, spirits and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The wholesale trade in beverages also includes the purchase, bottling and resale of wine. However, the blending of spirits and wine is not part of the industry's activities.

What's included in this industry?

BeersWatersLemonades and soft drinksJuicesWineSpirits

Companies

Get N GmbH & Co. KGDGL GmbH & Co. KGTrinks GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BEVERAGE PICK-UP MARKETSMOOTHIESUGAR TAX

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 46.34 - Beverage Wholesaling in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

More and more food retailers are bypassing wholesalers by launching their own brands, for the distribution of which they do not need the help of sector companies. In addition...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Increasing health awareness is causing demand for beer and other alcoholic beverages to fall. Drinks with a high sugar content such as lemonades, soft drinks and juices are a...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Most beverage wholesalers are located in regions with a large population. The end consumers determine demand through supermarkets and restaurants. This is why the centre and ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Most often, wholesalers in this sector are replaced by direct trade between manufacturers and food retailers. The latter can save costs by cutting out wholesalers as intermed...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Marktführer Get N is an association of several regional, owner-managed beverage wholesalers. The cooperation operates a central IT platform and joint billing systems. In addi...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Get N GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of DGL GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Trinks GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Get N GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for DGL GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Trinks GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Supermarket and discounter sales are an indicator of the sales trend for wholesalers. The majority of end consumers buy their drinks in supermarkets and discounters, which is...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The cost of materials is by far the largest cost item for beverage wholesalers. Higher purchase prices for merchandise and the increase in the cost of raw materials and suppl...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany is €23.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Beverage Wholesaling in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 3,251 businesses in the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Beverage Wholesaling market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Beverage Wholesaling market in Germany are Get N GmbH & Co. KG, DGL GmbH & Co. KG and Trinks GmbH

What does the Beverage Wholesaling in Germany include?

Beers and Waters are part of the Beverage Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Beverage Wholesaling in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Get N GmbH & Co. KG.

How competitive is the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Beverage Wholesaling industry in Germany.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.