US online alcohol sales increased by 115% in 2020 as the lockdown accelerated online delivery of spirits drastically. Consumers are expected to continue shopping virtual shelves even after the pandemic subsides, drawing the attention of acquirers. Earlier this year, Uber announced its expansion into the alcohol delivery space with its $1.1B acquisition of Drizly. Today, MiniBar Delivery, a marketplace for on-demand delivery of alcohol has agreed to be acquired by ReserveBar, a CT-based online marketplace for rare, luxury, and ultra-premium spirits. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We created Minibar Delivery in an effort to build the best way for consumers to shop online for wine, spirits, and beer. We’re thrilled to find a partner in ReserveBar that can allow us to continue to fulfill that mission,” remarked Lindsey Andrews, Minibar Delivery CEO and Cofounder.
We created Minibar Delivery in an effort to build the best way for consumers to shop online for wine, spirits, and beer. We’re thrilled to find a partner in ReserveBar that can allow us to continue to fulfill that mission – Lindsey Andrews
Founded by Andrews and Lara Crystal in 2013, MiniBar Delivery had raised a total of $6.8M in total equity funding with the last round in 2017 led by Alpava VC. Other investors in the company include Great Oaks Venture Capital, LaunchCapital, RiverPark Ventures, Winklevoss Capital, LeFrak, Female Founders Fund, and Jonathan Betz. Andrews will continue to serve as CEO of Minibar after the acquistion closes.
“This acquisition is born out of synergies generated by the complementary e-commerce segments we serve. ReserveBar primarily focuses on premium and luxury spirits, utilizing ground shipping fulfillment, while Minibar Delivery has focused on meeting the customer’s everyday needs for wine, spirits, beer, and ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), with on-demand delivery. Together, we can provide our clients with the best purchasing experience in the market,” said Lindsay Held, CEO and cofounder. Held added, “We also see significant product cross-over synergies in offering Minibar Delivery customers the special limited editions and celebrity, craft and newly launched bottles that are showcased on ReserveBar.”
This acquisition is born out of synergies generated by the complementary e-commerce segments we serve. ReserveBar primarily focuses on premium and luxury spirits, utilizing ground shipping fulfillment, while Minibar Delivery has focused on meeting the customer’s everyday needs for wine, spirits, beer, and ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), with on-demand delivery. Together, we can provide our clients with the best purchasing experience in the market. We also see significant product cross-over synergies in offering Minibar Delivery customers the special limited editions and celebrity, craft and newly launched bottles that are showcased on ReserveBar. – Lindsay Held
