Major beers see sales nosedive as Hispanic shoppers cut back fearing Trump

Constellation Brands, the U.S. importer of Modelo and Corona brand beers, is seeing a decline in profit and sales that appears to be caused by Hispanic shoppers cutting back from public life in general, reported the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday evening.

In 2024, the company posted a profit of $877 million, but this year it has slumped to $516.1 million; net sales fell 6 percent to $2.52 billion, below analysts' forecast.

Constellation "cited 'non-structural socioeconomic factors' behind a 6% drop in sales. Its survey research found that consumers’ concerns about personal finances led to fewer social gatherings and less shopping in convenience stores and gas stations," said the report. "The challenges are evident with Hispanic shoppers, which Constellation executives have previously noted were spending less amid fears of immigration crackdowns. In the most recent quarter, Constellation said its beer sales slumped most significantly in areas with larger Hispanic populations within its top markets."

Modelo and Corona are both Mexican beers, and Constellation cites Hispanic customers as their core demographic for the brands.

President Donald Trump, since taking office, has overseen a ramp-up of widespread mass deportation and detention policies, with critics warning people are being snatched up, transported across the country, or sent to overseas megaprisons without adequate due process of law.

Many lawful immigrants and even U.S.-born citizens have been arrested and locked up before agents could correct their mistake.

Meanwhile, Trump has sought to eradicate the 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship, a matter the Supreme Court just kicked back to lower courts, and is partnering with some GOP state officials to build controversial new detention facilities, including a Florida Everglades lockup being branded as "Alligator Alcatraz."