DRINKS (credit image/Pixabay/Holgi)DRINKS, the leader in eCommerce alcohol have announced a partnership with Shopify to introduce a regulatory solution that allows US wineries and retailers. For the first time, wineries and retailers have real-time tax and compliance fully embedded within a native Shopify checkout experience.

DRINKS app provides a wine-specific real-time tax and compliance solution integrated directly within Shopify checkout. This gives wineries and retailers with the same platform trusted by Fortune 20 retailers, leading brands, and eCommerce marketplaces. DRINKS app supports wineries and retailers to dramatically expand their Direct to Consumer (DTC) footprint. This enables them to take full advantage of the powerful Shopify ecosystem to create, customise, scale, and monetise.

(Credit image/LinkedIn/Zac Brandenberg)
Zac Brandenberg, Co-Founder and CEO at DRINKS

The days of substandard technology stifling our DTC industry growth are over,“ said Zac Brandenberg, Co-Founder and CEO at DRINKS. “DRINKS’ partnership with Shopify is a massive leap forward for tens of thousands of wineries and retailers. They can now leverage DRINKS’ regulatory technology seamlessly within the world-class Shopify ecosystem.

DRINKS makes alcohol tax and compliance simple on Shopify. By installing the DRINKS app, wineries and retailers gain proven tools to help manage complex DTC rules. Eliminating the burden of keeping up with constantly changing taxes and regulations. Wineries and retailers can get up and running quickly with hundreds of pre-configured compliance rules. All fully adjustable and automatically updated as tax rates and rules change.

Making tax compliance simple

The DRINKS app enables accurate tax and compliance that just works:

  • Real-time tax and compliance are seamlessly integrated into Shopify checkout.
  • Hundreds of pre-configured compliance rules are managed natively in Shopify to reflect each winery and retailer’s unique situation. The App is automatically updated as tax rates and rules change
  • Dynamic store customisations that prompt shoppers for their age and date of birth. It restricts non-compliant wines from being added to the shopping cart in real-time or held for manual review. It also displays state-specific messaging and applies volume limits per order and per customer
  • Detailed report generation for state tax filings, including aggregate volume by state and state summary reports, sales, credits, and returns

According to Pete Jones, Market Development Lead for Wine and Spirits at Shopify, “The wine industry is undergoing a digital transformation. Customers expect a streamlined experience no matter how they engage with brands. For many wineries in the US, it’s been difficult to innovate and grow online because of complex compliance and tax requirements for selling directly to consumers. With DRINKS joining the Shopify Plus Partner Program, and launching their app for Shopify Plus merchants, they’re removing barriers to entry for wine producers and retailers.

Furthermore, DRINKS’ in-house retention and growth agency, Electriq, is poised to help wineries start, run, and grow DTC sales. As a trusted Shopify Plus certified agency, Electriq provides Shopify design and development, tech stack optimisation, and expert integrations. In addition to growth marketing services. Electriq’s unique approach to DTC focuses on thoughtfully-crafted customer experiences that lower customer acquisition costs and increase lifetime value.

Wineries and retailers now have access to a full suite of world-class technology and services to support DTC sales growth. From the leading commerce platform to trusted real-time regulatory technology to expert professional services.

Enterprise Times: What this means for business

Configuring US tax rules for online selling is always a nightmare for any brand or retailer. Each US state has its own requirements and rates, variable rates for different product types. This is further complicated by different counties and local governments within states having varying levels of local taxes. So, the DRINKS-Shopify partnership which provides tax rules configuration to enable direct-to-consumer sales will have US wineries clinking their glasses. It will save developers multiple hours building those compliance requirements into development. More time to spend in the bar!

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