Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are current e-commerce sales trends in the drinks industry, and which marketing channels are performing best right now?
E-commerce has faced headwinds in recent weeks, with several channels under pressure. However, certain tactics are holding up better than others. **Current market conditions:** - Online delivery platforms (Deliveroo, similar) have contracted across most channels - **Amazon** sales and Facebook ads have both been impacted by iOS14/iOS15 tracking changes, particularly in the UK market versus the US - Email marketing appears to be the most resilient channel, with generally strong ROI continuing - Grocery channel is performing better, especially with **BBQ-themed promotions** - Non-alcoholic search on Amazon has been notably lower from February–May - Members attribute some contraction to post-lockdown consumer behaviour shifting towards physical retail, experiences, and holidays **Recommended tactics:** - **Email campaigns** — maintain focus here; ROI remains solid despite platform changes - **BBQ promotions** in the grocery channel — showing traction currently - **Shopify** — monitor their recent iOS14 mitigation updates, which look promising for addressing Facebook ad tracking issues **Heads-up for upcoming changes:** - iOS15 changes are coming and will impact email tracking; prepare for this - Facebook iOS14 impacts continue to be significant in the UK market Members suggest locking in email as a primary channel while broader e-commerce stabilises.
Which email marketing agencies can help optimise customer journeys and email flows for drinks brands?
Members recommend a range of email marketing agencies depending on budget and stage. Key considerations: ensure templates are fully editable by you to avoid ongoing dependency on dev work, and budget accordingly as this is often a significant revenue channel worth reinvestment. **Recommended agencies:** - **Valley Gal** (valleygal.co.uk) — recommended by member, ensure full editability and clarify dev support needs upfront - **IAKOE** (iakoe.com) — praised as an exceptionally fast and collaborative partner; reportedly delivered more in one month than competitors in six months, though possibly better suited to established businesses rather than early-stage - **Dash Creative** (dashcreative.co/) — described as excellent, budget around £10k+ - **Lili at Onomy Studio** (linkedin.com/in/lilimxprice/) — circa £4k per month **Budget guidance:** Members report paying £2k–£10k+ per month depending on scope and complexity. Ensure your chosen partner supports ongoing conversion rate optimisation and site improvements, as email is often a core revenue driver. **Key caveat:** Verify that you retain full control and editability of your email templates and flows rather than becoming locked into ongoing developer dependencies.