Sporting and entertainment challenge beverage sales: slowdown in attendance slows beverage sales.(Channel Strategies)

THEME PARKS, STADIUMS AND RECREATION PARKS ARE ALL KEY ACCOUNTS for which beverage distributors strive. Unfortunately, like many other channels, some of these venues are reporting sales that are off from historical totals.

Total revenues generated by U.S. amusement and theme parks accounted for an estimated $10.8 billion in 2008, according to a Theme Parks report from Mintel International, Chicago. In years of flat attendance, admissions revenue still tends to grow due to increases in ticket prices and changes in ticket mix, it says. However, ancillary revenues from merchandise and dining are more likely to decline with fewer visitors coming to the park. The contrast between admission growth in 2008 and dining …