10 marketing strategies for the beverage industry

The beverage industry in India, both alcoholic and otherwise, is a widespread sector as the choice of taste differs. As the population is diverse, the taste has been influenced by nations’ vast geographical conditions. The projected market volume for the beverage industry in India is US$3,110.00m by 2027, representing an annual growth rate (CAGR 2022–2027) of 14.07%. In such a growing market, for brands to make an everlasting impression, increase sales, and attract new customers, they need to deliver a rich experience to their customers. 

In addition to a good taste, it is mandatory for beverage companies to have a digital presence, as the tech-savvy generation is accustomed to being catered digitally. For this to happen, the brands need various marketing strategies. Listed below are a few of them:

Having a social media presence

As the customers have “gone digital,” it is necessary for the beverage companies to have a strong social media presence. Some of them might have it as well; however, the engagement is not on par with what the customer demands. Teaming up with influencers, making short videos, and having live sessions are some of the ways brands can engage their clients. Social media engagement is a good strategy as it is budget-friendly and can help brands reach potential customers online.

Creating a brand narrative

For making a strong first impression, a beverage brand needs a catchy story and a backgrounder. Narrating the inception process and connecting it to the customers, as well as having the founder’s idea generation process, can help curate a great story. This strategy can engage customers efficiently and make them loyal to the brand. 

Going behind the scenes

Whenever a brand has an online presence, the customers seem to react and are curious to know the details. To sustain the interest of the visitor, marketing strategies should include giving people behind-the-scenes information and access. This can include videos and pictures of the facilities, the work culture, and a few glimpses of the manufacturing processes.

PR with local events

Several Indian brands start their journey in the local markets primarily for marketing purposes. Participating in local food and beverage events as a strategy can provide a direct line of contact with customers. In addition, companies can hold a few activities, provide goodies, and hold music festivals to connect potential consumers with the product.

Having a trendy packaging style

Product packaging should be a top priority for brands because this is how customers will initially perceive it. If the company is targeting new customers, they must understand that people will base their decisions on the look and feel of the product, with taste coming later.

Portraying the USP creatively

It is critical for brands to present their USP (unique selling point) creatively to the customers. Your USP is something that makes you different from others, and customers are keen to know if their money is worth spending. In the end, all that matters is the experience of the customers on what they perceived and what they received.

Omnichannel presence

Gone are the days when customers relied only on brick-and-mortar stores. Now, they perform a thorough online search and research before buying any product. Therefore, having an omnichannel presence on multiple platforms while keeping the customer experience (CX) unique is a good strategy to attract prospective customers.

Catchy display designs

The first impression that a customer has of your company is on what you do, and, how you do it. Therefore, image of the brand can be established with the help design. A brand must create eye-catching retail displays, which could consist of animated floor graphics, striking endcaps, colourful banners, or even cardboard cut-outs in order to attract new customers. 

Curating relatable content

Focusing on creating content that resonates with the needs of the customers is a good marketing strategy, as it can help a brand stand out. Although video content is becoming more popular among internet users, website content, such as blogs and articles, remains valuable. By portraying themselves as a one-stop shop for the customer, brands can maximise the odds of customer loyalty.

Seasonal deals and offers

To generate the customer interest, brands could time their offerings to coincide with particular seasons and holidays, especially if they have a specific version of your product that corresponds with those occasions. Indian consumers like to get deals, so offering first-buy discounts, freebies, referral codes, and offers is a good marketing strategy.

All things considered

Beverages, whether alcoholic or not, are produced and consumed in large quantities in India. Given its current state, it is anticipated that this industry will have a significant impact on the nation’s overall economy. Industry insiders also predict that the Indian beverage consumer marketplace will grow multifold over the coming years. 

Brands that are trying to tap this market will therefore face fierce competition from their peers. They will be distinguished from one another by the factors such as the use of social media, technology, quality, packaging design, and price. As a result, having a successful marketing strategy is essential for brands to maintain their market presence.