Napa Tech WineStation
Heinen’s has inked a partnership with Napa Technology to install the company’s 12- to 16-bottle WineStation system in the grocer’s stores.
Designed to “accurately preserve, consistently dispense and report on wines-by-the-glass both in front of and behind the bar,” according to the company, WineStation technology responds to the increasing popularity of wine-by-the-glass, particularly among Millennials.
“Heinen’s has a long history of seeking out and introducing our customers [to] great tasting wines from around the world,” said Jeff Heinen, co-president, Heinen’s.
“The average number of wines-by-the glass has tripled over the last five years and it is no secret the largest margin of loss in most beverage operation’s lay within the wine program,” added Nick Moezidis, co-founder and VP of sales, Napa Technology. “Couple that challenge with the rapid trajectory of wine consumption and significant shift in drinking behavior and suddenly on and off premise operators have real problems creating profitability.”
Family-owned Heinen’s Grocery Stores operates 22 supermarkets in the suburbs of Chicago and Cleveland.