Posted on 10/02/2017 9:31:54 AM PDT by re_tail20
We know it was a different year for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, as the state saw the advent of widespread sales of wine outside of the state-owned liquor stores for the first time since Prohibition.
But was it a good year?
Just-released numbers for fiscal 2016-17 are strong, but board officials caution there's a lot more to learn as the customer convenience changes initiated last year continue to roll out across the state.
The PLCB reported record retail sales of $2.01 billion for the year, not including state liquor and sales taxes, up 3.9 percent from 2015-16 and a single-year record.
But here's the tricky part: That number includes both the board's direct sales to consumers at its state-owned liquor stores, and the bulk sales to restaurants, bars and even grocers that are now selling wine-to-go.
Leaders of unions representing state store employees have been worried the advent of grocery store wine sales and to-the-door shipment from wineries would bleed sales from the state stores, ultimately costing jobs.
At the same time, however, because PLCB is the wholesale supplier to the private-sector outlets, that arm of the business has likely grown.
As of Wednesday, PLCB spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell said, breakdowns of the two different sales streams are not available...
(Excerpt) Read more at pennlive.com ...
Maybe, just maybe, NEW YORK will follow! Wine in the grocery store!!!
We even have wine in gas stations!
Hey, look - you want a bottle of wine with your dinner tonight. As it should be.
More alcohol and gambling in Pennsylvania...only a lefty would call that progress.
PA State stores in the 70’s was like going to the Soviet department of motor vehicles.
Let’s also please bookmark this one as more proof of the obvious, that removing prohibitions on a controlled substance always results in MORE use of that substance.
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