Alliance of Beverage Licensees concerned about latest B.C. liquor policy changes

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      An organization that represents private liquor stores in B.C. is concerned about the potential impacts of the most recent changes announced to provincial liquor policy.

      Jeff Guignard, the executive director of Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), argued that changes detailed by the provincial government this week are "really about creating an un-level playing field tilted in the government’s favour”.

      “They take away the competitive advantages of the small business community…but then they’re keeping the exclusive ability to sell to bars and restaurants,” he told the Straight by phone.

      “They don’t allow private stores to do that. So it’s not an equal playing field if you take away our advantages and keep all of your own and don’t allow us access to those.”

      The changes announced by the province this week will permit grocery stores to sell liquor through a “store-within-a-store” model as of April 1, 2015. On the same date, BC Liquor Stores will be allowed to extend their hours to match private liquor stores, including operating on Sundays.

      Another regulation change taking effect April 1 will see all liquor retailers buying their products from the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch at a common wholesale price. BC Liquor Stores will also be permitted to install refrigeration to sell cold beer and wine.

      John Yap, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for liquor policy reform, stated in a news release that liquor in grocery stores and wholesale pricing are part of a series of changes aimed at creating “a level playing field and a more competitive marketplace”.

      “We heard from many stakeholders during the Liquor Policy Review that the current, varying mark-up and discount rates were confusing to different retailers - and government is acting to address the calls for simplicity and a level playing field,” he said.

      Guignard described many private liquor stores as “mom and pop shops”.

      “These are guys who are already very tight in their profit margins,” he said. “I think they’re going to make less profit, and I think that there’s going to be a negative impact on their businesses. They’re going to have to make all kinds of unfortunate decisions about laying people off or changing price structures in a way that doesn’t help them, or carrying fewer products or [having] fewer hours.”

      According to the province, there are currently 196 BC Liquor Stores across the province, 670 private liquor stores, 221 rural agency stores, and 12 independent wine stores.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Bradley

      Nov 20, 2014 at 2:53pm

      I'm surprised the private stores have "tight" profit margins when they're charging $18 for a six-pack of Corona.

      The Truth

      Nov 20, 2014 at 3:13pm

      I know someone who owns several liquor stores and these guys are more than pleased with these changes. These fake anger press releases are free advertising and nothing more.

      sorry...

      Nov 20, 2014 at 3:35pm

      ...i just want to buy beer at a reasonable price, and these "mom and pop stores" (who are often tied to bars - whose margins are definitely not "tight") have been ripping off the general public for years.

      ursa minor

      Nov 20, 2014 at 3:38pm

      Alcohol is a controlled substance. It's also a prime source of taxation revenue for governments. None of this should surprise anyone.

      Chuck

      Nov 21, 2014 at 11:30am

      Anyone else find it odd that all these articles say there are "12 Independent Wine Stores" in BC when the govt's own license data shows there are actually 54, including 13 in Vancouver alone?

      Bogus

      Nov 21, 2014 at 4:59pm

      This whole affair pisses me off. Adults should be able to pick up wine and beer at our local corner stores just like almost every other location around the world.
      It just pisses me off.

      OK, ...I feel better.