Wines are now the largest category in Viking Line’s tax free stores.
The ship’s own wines are selected for two years at a time. Wind Lindgren
The wine category has become the best-selling product category in Viking Line’s tax free stores, ahead of cosmetics, spirits and sweets.
The increased sales of wines follow the global trend.
– In our marine stores, the wishes and also the expectations of customers towards us are higher than ever before. Customers are even more interested in the products for sale, especially wines, says Viking Linen’s Head of Retail Operations Mats Kotka.
According to Kotka, the ships’ staff have noticed a change in customers’ purchasing behavior.
– More and more customers have a clear vision of what kind of wine they are looking for and what kind of wine they like. At the same time, our customers want to get additional tips about new, unknown wines.
Customers also invest a little more financially in wines on board than before.
– Four years ago, the most purchased wines cost around seven euros, now the largest price category in wines is around ten euros at the ship’s price level. At Alko, the same wines cost 13–14 euros, says Kotka.
The increased interest of customers is also reflected in staff training. According to Kotka, the shipping company has invested in staff product training for a long time. At the same time, the wine selection has been expanded, especially for higher quality wines.
Own wines are particularly important
A significant part of Viking Line’s wine sales comes from the ship’s own wines, which are available both in the ship’s restaurants and tax free. This winter, Viking Line selected the new ship’s own wines for the next two years. The selection process was long, and the final wines were selected from among hundreds of candidates.
– We paid particular attention to quality, to the fact that they are to our customers’ taste and versatile food and social wines.
Viking Line’s new onboard wines are:
White wine: Neiss Riesling Trocken, Palatinate, Germany.
Red wine: Defesa do Esporão Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal.
Champagne: Laurent-Perrier Brut LP, Champagne, France.
Sparkling wine: I Heart Cava, Catalonia, Spain.
Buffet wines (red, white and rose): MIA, Freixenet, Spain.