The Danish distributor Bemakers has been listed as a supplier of Norway’s state-owned alcohol monopoly Vinmonopolet.
The state-run Vinmonopolet has the exclusive rights for retail alcoholic beverages over 4.75% abv in Norway.
“Securing supplier status with Vinmonopolet exemplifies Bemakers' dedicated commitment to enabling access to the monopoly markets and empowering international brands to enter the Norwegian market,” Bemakers’ CEO Morten Stengaard said in a statement.
“This achievement reinforces our role in the Scandinavian alcohol industry.”
To facilitate its push into Norway, Bemakers said it would be opening a dedicated Norwegian warehouse that will supply the on-trade and orders from Vinmonopolet.
“Our Norwegian warehouse strategically positions products to increase margins for the brands and logistical efficiency, ensuring optimal service for Norwegian consumers and trade customers,” Stengaard said.
The Danish distributor of brands such as Agavem Tequila and Burning Barn Rum said its success in Norway will take more than a listing on Vinmonopolet, stressing that its strategy in the market would involve multi-channel engagement and “targeted market activities”.
Bemakers added: “Given Norway's regulatory landscape as a monopoly state, effective on-trade activation becomes paramount.
“Norway's non-membership in the EU introduces additional operational complexities, particularly concerning customs and trade regulation,”.
Last year, Bemakers launched a distributor sales platform that handles the excise duties, VAT, shipping, payments and recycling fees for beverage brands expanding into the EU.
Bemakers was listed as a supplier of Sweden’s state-owned alcohol controller Systembolaget in 2023. In June, the group opened a dedicated warehouse in Sweden for that market.
In recent months, there have been announced changes to how some Nordic state-run monopolies operate, with both Sweden and Finland relaxing laws.
Last month, the Finnish parliament voted to raise the maximum alcohol content limit for drinks sold in supermarkets from 5.5% to 8% abv. That law came into effect on 10 June.
In a similar regulation relaxation, the Swedish government in June announced plans to allow the sale of “artisanally” produced alcoholic beverages in small quantities at the point of source. Currently, state-owned retailer Systembolaget handles all sales of alcohol above 3.5% abv.
