Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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8 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2017 www.beveragedynamics.com ONE SIZE SHOULDN'T FIT ALL Across the country, off-premise retailers are facing challenges to their industry at the state level. From ballot initiatives to legislative lobbying to court challenges, family-owned independent retailers are fi ghting to survive and prevent the fate that befell hardware stores, book stores, video stores and other nearly extinct industries. National chains and organizations are bankroll- ing state-by-state efforts under the guise of grass- roots campaigns, testing the waters to see which laws and regulations are easiest to undo. Their ultimate goal is one set of rules na- tionwide, which would allow Costco, Walmart, Amazon and others to implement standard operating procedures and dominate the market. In Colorado, the state's Licensed Beverage Association (which represents in- dependent retailers) recently reached a compromise on legislation that phases in full-strength beer and wine in grocery stores, and raises the cap on the number of stores an owner can operate (see cover feature on page 20 for full details). Before the compromise, groups pushing for change were threatening a ballot measure to allow immediate sales in grocery. Florida's "Whiskey and Wheaties" bill narrowly passed the house and senate earlier this year, but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott. The new law would have allowed spirit sales in grocery stores without a wall of separation, and was strongly opposed by independent retailers in the state. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits COO Andy Abernathy spoke about that bill and other regulatory challenges during the inaugural Beverage Alcohol Retailers Con- ference in Minneapolis (see page 16 for complete coverage). Local Minnesota retailers also spoke at BARC about their recent wins (permit denials for Target and Total Wine) and losses (the beginning of Sunday sales) in their state. The Twin Cities have long been a strong market for family-owned bev- erage retailers, but proponents of loosening the laws further continue to fi ght. Alcohol is different from most commodities – for nearly a century each state has chosen how to regulate it based on their local values and culture. This system has produced innovative products, prevented misuse and supported thousands of small businesses and jobs. Independent retailers are on the front line of preventing overconsumption and underage sales, they support local communities through charities and special events, and they create good jobs with good wages. Executives in Issaquah and Bentonville care about increasing sales and cutting costs. It would be a shame if a handful of corporations succeeded in overturning de- cades of progress and protections, at the expense of retailers and consumers, just because they see an opportunity to increase profi ts. Editor's NOTE Jeremy Nedelka Editor VP, Beverage Group Amy Collins Editor Jeremy Nedelka Tel: 203-855-8499 x2213 email: jnedelka@epgmediallc.com Managing Editor Kyle Swartz Tel: 203-855-8499 x2225 email: kswartz@epgmediallc.com Contributing Editors Laurie Daniel Jonathan H. Newman Brooke Edge Mike Nickerson Sarah Howlett Jack Robertiello Julie Johnson Thomas Henry Strenk Senior Regional Sales Manager Bruce Kostic Tel: 203-855-8499, x2215 email: bkostic@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Mark Marcon Tel: 763-383-4456 email: mmarcon@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Debbie Rittenberg Tel: 763-383-4455 email: drittenberg@epgmediallc.com Art Director Andrea Schneider Production Director Cherri Perschmann Tel: 763-383-4425 email: cperschmann@epgmediallc.com Senior Research Analyst Marina Velez Tel: 203-855-8499 x2212 email: mvelez@epgmediallc.com LIST RENTAL MeritDirect, Jim Scova email: jscova@MeritDirect.com Tel: 914-368-1012 REPRINTS Circulation and Audience Development Manager Robin Cooper email: rcooper@epgmediallc.com Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel CEO Marion Minor RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores Ted Farrell Haskell's Ed Mulvihill Peco's Liquors Steve Small Yankee Wine & Spirits Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's Beverage Dynamics is published by EPG Media & Specialty Information Editorial and executive offi ces at 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: 203-855-8499 Fax: 203-855-9446