Retailing Aperitivo
Catering for the crowd
Choice in the aperitif category is growing – Dan Hughes investigates product trends and finds out the key levers to pull to make the most of the category.
drinks, and the food takes a second seat. Food pairing can be as simple as a bowl of chips, nuts or some olives or as extensive as a full charcuterie board. The important thing to note is that you still need to have room for that delicious meal so less is often more for this occasion,” explained Marketing Director, Paolo Marinoni. “The drinks paired at this time are also important. Whilst classic Italian wine is a popular choice, the real Aperitivo hosts
With the cooler months and variable
restrictions continuing to ease, it is now
serve drinks which have a ‘bitter’ flavour
conditions upon us, so too is the chance to
even more crucial to understand what
note as bitter flavours open up your appetite
heighten your customers’ at home events.
local and international options within this
for dinner. This is because bitters affect
An aperitif can do just that and is slowly
category can offer to your shoppers.
the central nervous system, which signals
garnering more traction in Australia as a product to enjoy all year round.
the gut to release digestive hormones that
Spritz up events
stimulate appetite.”
Aperitif beverages are traditionally of low
According to Campari, the Aperitivo occasion
Consumer interest in the Aperitivo
alcohol percentage and are generally served
has become an especially nice tradition in
movement during the pandemic has
before a meal to stimulate the appetite. In
winter when nights get darker, earlier.
generated a buzz in the numbers, with
recent years, this has become a staple for
“Unlike dinner which centres around
retailers reporting an increase in sales
home events, and with home gathering
the meal, Aperitivo centres around the
of aperitif products throughout the last
42 | National Liquor News