When it comes to wine, spirits, and beer retail in the United States, Total Wine & More stands apart as a category leader. Known for their expansive product offerings, competitive pricing, and educational in-store experiences, Total Wine & More has carved out a dominant position in a growing beverage alcohol market.
In this blog, we will explore how many Total Wine & More locations exist in 2025, analyze their top-performing markets, and assess what this growth means for investors, retailers, and F&B businesses aiming to tap into the lucrative U.S. beverage market.

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How Many Total Wine & More Stores Are There in the United States?

As of 2025, there are 279 Total Wine & More stores across the United States.

This figure showcases steady, strategic expansion in high-growth metropolitan areas rather than a nationwide push for store count. Total Wine's success stems from targeting affluent suburban and urban markets where disposable income is high and consumer tastes are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Top 10 States with the Most Total Wine & More Stores

Insights from the Top 10 States with the Most Total Wine & More Stores

• California leads the country not just in sheer numbers of locations but also in sales volume. With nearly 40 million residents and a strong wine culture, it’s no surprise that California accounts for 16% of Total Wine stores.
• Florida comes in second, where the high number of retirees and tourism-driven economy ensures consistent demand for wine, spirits, and beer. Florida’s lower alcohol regulation compared to other states also supports retail expansion.
• Texas, with its large and growing population, is fertile ground for Total Wine's format of large, suburban superstores.
• Virginia and North Carolina show strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions — affluent suburban customers here demand variety, premium selections, and price competitiveness.
• Arizona, Washington, and Minnesota indicate that Total Wine is strategically targeting emerging suburban economies, not just traditional coastal states.
• Massachusetts and Missouri highlight expansion into high-income and mid-America markets respectively.

📈 Summary Insight:
Total Wine’s expansion targets a sweet spot: affluent suburbs + relaxed liquor regulations + dense residential growth = maximum profitability.

Understand how market factors influence retail expansion

States and Territories Without Any Total Wine & More Stores

Despite growing to 279 locations, Total Wine & More is still absent from 27 states and territories, including:

• Idaho
• Hawaii
• Alaska
• Utah
• Mississippi
• South Dakota
• Connecticut
• Oregon
• among others.

The absence in states like Hawaii and Alaska is due largely to logistical challenges and stringent liquor laws.
In some regions, government-run liquor systems (like in Utah) make Total Wine’s private retail model impractical.

Learn how regulations impact retail expansion strategies

Top 10 Cities with the Most Total Wine & More Stores

Insights from the Top 10 Cities

• Houston’s massive size and affluent suburban communities make it the perfect market for Total Wine's superstore model, explaining why it leads with 6 locations.
• Miami’s booming international tourism and high-end clientele support a strong presence for premium wines and spirits.
• Charlotte and Raleigh represent North Carolina's urban expansion — cities known for rapid suburban growth, young professionals, and rising disposable incomes.
• Las Vegas offers an ideal environment for high-volume liquor sales, especially given Nevada’s liberal alcohol laws and 24/7 lifestyle economy.
• Plano and Fort Worth reflect Texas’s suburban strength — high homeownership, high disposable income, and a culture that embraces specialty retail.
• Kansas City, Greensboro, and Tucson show that even mid-sized cities with strong suburban footprints are being prioritized.

📈 Summary Insight:
Total Wine’s urban expansion strategy targets economic hubs, tourist centers, and high-income suburban belts, maximizing revenue per store.

Total Wine & More's Impact on the U.S. Market

Redefining the Beverage Retail Experience

Total Wine has revolutionized liquor retailing by:

• Expanding assortment: Offering over 8,000 wine labels, 3,000 spirits brands, and 2,500 beer selections per store.
• Premium positioning: Educating customers through tastings, seminars, and recommendations.
• Competitive pricing: Leveraging bulk purchasing and direct-import models.

In fact, according to Forbes 2025 Retail Insights, Total Wine holds nearly 4% of the entire U.S. wine market by value — an astonishing achievement given they operate under 300 stores.

The Rise of "Superstore Retail" in Alcohol Sales

The "big box" model applied to alcohol retail has allowed Total Wine to:

• Build larger basket sizes (average transaction ~$75 vs $25 industry average).
• Increase customer loyalty through variety and education.
• Expand into ancillary sales (premium accessories, gifts, gourmet foods).

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Analyzing Total Wine & More's U.S. Growth Trajectory

Past Growth Trends (2015–2025)

• In 2015, Total Wine operated just over 120 stores.
• As of 2025, it operates 279 stores — more than doubling in 10 years.
• Growth was driven by entry into high-opportunity suburban belts in the South and Southwest.

Current Expansion Focus (2025–2027)

Investor Insights: Total Wine & More's 2025 Vision

Why Investors Watch Total Wine Closely

• Privately owned but often evaluated at $2–3 billion valuation ranges in M&A discussions.
• Cash-rich model: Operating margins exceeding 7–9%, well above average beverage retail.
• Untapped states: 27 U.S. regions still without a Total Wine store present growth potential.

Future Investment Signals

• Diversification into experience retailing: More tasting events, classes, and VIP programs.
• Private label expansion: House brands offering higher margins (~20–30% higher than national labels).
• Geospatial targeting for new stores: Using demographic, psychographic, and mobility data to predict high-value new locations.

Learn how xMap powers predictive location analysis

Conclusion

In 2025, Total Wine & More stands as a dominant force reshaping the alcohol retail industry through scale, education, premiumization, and strategic geographic expansion.
For businesses and investors alike, understanding how Total Wine evaluates markets, builds brand loyalty, and innovates within retail models is critical to capitalizing on the massive beverage economy opportunity.

How xMap's Insights Help Beverage Retailers and Investors

With xMap’s Polygon AI, businesses can:

• Identify suburban and urban belts with the highest potential wine and spirit buyers.
• Predict foot traffic and optimize store sizing/location.
• Analyze competitors and white spaces using real-time geospatial data.
• Reduce location risks and optimize revenue potential in new or existing territories.

See how xMap drives better retail site selection