Four31 Digital’s Post

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a groundbreaking move allowing beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails sales in convenience stores and all grocery outlets by 2026, marking a significant shift in the province’s alcohol sales landscape. This decision heralded as one of the most substantial changes in Ontario’s history, signifies a major step, making the province the second in Canada to sell beer in corner stores and the first to offer ready-to-drink cocktails in these locations. Ford’s pledge, originally made in 2018, signifies a second attempt to introduce beer and wine in corner stores. The new agreement will dissolve the current Beer Store contract by 2025, enabling over 8,500 retail locations to set prices independently. The deal ensures dedicated shelf space for small-scale beer and wine producers, while the Beer Store retains a predominant role in the beer distribution and recycling programmes for five years. To learn more about the disruptions in the grocery industry, subscribe to our newsletter at: https://lnkd.in/dzCCRh4b

Ontario is introducing sales of beer, wine and ready-made cocktails into corner stores and additional supermarkets 16 months ahead of schedule, a move that will see the province pay up to $225 million to The Beer Store. Retailers, including convenience stores and gas stations, will be able to start selling the low-alcohol beverages as of Sept. 4. The process for applying for a licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will open on June 17, the province says. Similarly, the 450 grocery stores provincewide that already have licences for beer and wine will be allowed to sell ready-to-drink cocktails on Aug. 1. All other supermarkets and grocers will then be able to sell beer, wine, cider and canned spirit drinks as of Oct. 31. Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 7-Eleven ONroute Parkland Corporation LCBO Brewers Retail, Inc. #convenientstores #alcohol #Beer #spirits https://lnkd.in/g43uyGUF #retaisales

Jersey City Whole Foods Planning Wine & Beer Expansion By Chris Fry After years of anticipation, Whole Foods finally opened their market at 135 Greene Street in November. The two-floor space includes a parking garage and cafe area, but a new addition appears to be in the cards. An application has been made to the Jersey City Alcoholic Beverage Control board to add a liquor license to the property. Whole Foods Market Group Inc. initiated the move, which would take over an in-pocket (or dormant) license currently owned by a company called Mezcal El Chupe LLC. While some of the market’s locations throughout the country do sell wine, beer, and selected spirits, only the Paramus and Middletown outposts have a liquor license out of New Jersey’s locations. The wine, beer, and spirits section at Whole Foods tends to focus on unique wines and local craft beers from the area they serve, also selling libations like ciders and hard kombucha. The liquor license the company is seeking to transfer is of the retail variety, meaning there would be no bar or drink area that could operate at the property. Whole Foods made a play back in 2021 to sell wine and beer at their Jersey City market, but nothing ever came of that plan. But that was over two years before the store actually opened, and the new application for the now-launched market seems a bit more realistic this time around. The next meeting of Jersey City’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will be held on February 20, which is the earliest the license transfer application could be approved. The agenda for that meeting has not yet been released. #jerseycity #wholefoods #liquorlicense

#Pennsylvania has long been a backwater for #wine, #beer, and #spirits aficionados, and made worse still in large part because of the abysmal selection and high prices at its state-run stores (the states having no business in the alcohol business, #IMHO). But, starting last week: Pennsylvania will allow of-age consumers to purchase #Ready2Drink #cocktails at restaurants, bars, grocery stores, convenience stores and more that have applied for a new permit and already sell beer and wine. The move will give Pennsylvanians a chance to buy liquor-based alcohol intended for #offpremisesconsumption outside of state-run stores for the first time since Prohibition ended more than 90 years ago! At a time when much of the industry feels under siege--some of it (but not all) legitimately--this good news may portend better days. But I still maintain that, as far as wine goes, there are just too many producers, far-too-many producers of mediocrity, and too many hectares under vine than are needed. #WineAndSpiritsDaily #TheSpruceEats #NBBJ #BonAppetit NO DECANTING! ®© #Imbibe #Saveur #WineSchoolofPhiladelphia https://lnkd.in/eVn8cwp8

A report released by Drinks Ireland - Ibec in July 2023 revealed that beer remains Ireland’s favourite alcohol beverage holding 43.5% of the market. Out of that nearly 35% of the beer consumed in Ireland is stout and is growing. Overall beer consumption remains below pre-pandemic levels and more and more consumers are trying zero alcohol variants of their favourite beers and stouts. According to Diageo, almost 5% of #Guinness now brewed is alcohol-free. In the next edition of Drinks Industry Ireland we take a look at the stout market. If you would like to include information on your offerings please get in touch.    The editorial deadline for this edition is January 23, and January 26 for advertising. #stout #pubs #bars #hospitality #marketing #brands #report #drinks #alcohol #nolo #craft #suppliers #brewers #brewery

The Protis Global Annual Retreat finished with a trip to the bowling alley! The night was made even better with a surprising discovery - three different Non-alcoholic beer options at the bowling alley. Yes, you read that right. A bowling alley! The rise in non-alcoholic drinks is more than just a passing trend. It's a booming industry. In fact, the global non-alcoholic beverage market was valued at approximately $1.44 trillion in 2023. It is forecasted to experience a continuous increase, growing by an additional $0.3 trillion (+20.69 percent) between 2023 and 2027. Following seven consecutive years of growth, the market is projected to reach a new peak of $1.74 trillion by 2027 But it's not just about the numbers. It's about the shift in consumer behavior, the growing preference for healthier choices, and the explosion of non-alcoholic bottle shops. These shops have seen a whopping 34.7% increase in sales in the last year alone. Our bowling night was a testament to that. The availability of not one, not two, but three different non-alcoholic beers was not just a pleasant surprise - it was a testament to the changing times. We're seeing a change in the landscape of beverage consumption and it's a change that's here to stay. The rise of non-alcoholic drinks and the growth of non-alcoholic bottle shops are not just statistics - they're real, and they're happening right now. So the next time you're out, why not try a non-alcoholic beer? You might just be pleasantly surprised. Let's raise a glass (non-alcoholic, of course) to healthier choices and changing times. Cheers!

Yet another hurdle being put in the way of craft beverage alcohol producers coming out of California. Craft producers need innovative ways to compete in the market, but lumping clubs in with subscription service providers is a terrible way to go and just increases the cost of operation even more, to little or no benefit. The lack of understanding how the industry works is clear in the current proposed rules. Out of state producers and their associations should be adding their voices to oppose this legislation as well because just like CRV, it will impact their clubs as well if they want to sell into California. We need to exempt certain business types or just scrap the legislation, it is already hard enough to do business in California without adding more layers of cost. Telling every business they need a toll free number to be covered 10-6 Monday to Friday shows a lack of understanding at the most basic level. #badforbusiness #smallbusiness #wineindustry #spiritsindustry #cider #mead #sake #beer #wine #clubs #subscriptions Craft Wine Association Distilled Spirits Council of the United States American Distilling Institute American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) American Cider Association Beer Institute Gavin Newsom California State Senate

🍸 Thinking of Serving Alcohol in PA? Here's What You Need to Know! 🍷 If you're a restaurant or business owner in Pennsylvania and want to serve alcohol, understanding the different types of liquor licenses is key. Here's a quick breakdown: R License (Restaurant Liquor License) 🍽️ Perfect for restaurants and hotels! This allows you to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, with the option to sell beer for off-premises consumption too. E License (Eating Place License) 🥤 For delis, sandwich shops, or cafes serving simple meals. This allows the sale of beer (no liquor) for both on and off-premises consumption. D License (Distributor License) 📦 This is for beer distributors, enabling you to sell beer by the case or keg to the public for off-premises consumption. 💡 Fun Fact: Pennsylvania has a quota system, meaning licenses are limited by county, so securing one might require purchasing from a current license holder. 🍻 Ready to elevate your business with alcohol sales? Make sure to research which license is the right fit! #LiquorLicensePA #PABusiness #RestaurantLife #BeerAndWine #AlcoholLicense #BusinessTips

Restaurant Sales and Liquor Licenses: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape explores the complexities of liquor licenses in restaurant sales. This guide helps buyers and sellers understand the regulatory challenges and requirements involved in transferring alcohol permits. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gVN7VM7C

I'm curious to see what other restaurant operators are seeing with their alcohol sales. There has been a lot of discussion about a rise in non alcoholic beverage sales and a focus on more people drinking less. At the same time Tequila continues to boom with beer and wine both seeing large drop offs in sales (nationally). There is a huge opportunity to offer a great NA program and there are a lot of great options there from Athletic Brewing Co. to Seedlip Drinks etc. I'm seeing more and more restaurants doing some sort of house made soda with interesting seasonal flavors and fresh herbs etc. In many cases these drinks aren't significantly less expensive than their alcoholic versions. What are you doing at your restaurant? Do you place huge importance on getting a liquor license at your new locations?