VICTORIA - Government has outlined new details for B.C.’s liquor-grocery framework -providing industry with further certainty and time to prepare for the model’s implementation in spring 2015.

Aligning with the spirit of Parliamentary Secretary John Yap’s recommendations and feedback from British Columbians throughout the Liquor Policy Review, licensing under the store-within-a-store model will support the “traditional” grocery experience.

In order to be eligible, grocery stores will need to have approximately 75% of their sales coming from food products and must be a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Grocery stores will have the opportunity to co-brand with liquor stores - regardless of whether the liquor store is physically in the grocery store - and there will be no minimum size requirement for liquor retail stores set up within grocery stores.

The grocery model will not apply to general merchandise stores or "big box" stores, nor to convenience stores, as previously announced.

Excluding general merchandise and convenience stores from the grocery definition - while maintaining the current moratorium on the number of private liquor stores and the one kilometre rule - will also ensure B.C.’s liquor-grocery framework balances the calls for added convenience from consumers with health and public safety, while driving the economy forward with the promotion of B.C. products and businesses.

Consultations with grocery stores, owners and the industry will continue to inform decisions, as the Province works to finalize the made-in-B.C. grocery model.

Details on wholesale pricing and grocery stores selling B.C. wine off the shelf are expected in the coming months.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“Today, we are signalling to the industry how our final grocery framework is shaping up, so they have certainty and time to prepare - and so that the option for one-stop shopping can be available to British Columbians this coming spring. Keeping with the spirit and intent of Parliamentary Secretary Yap’s recommendations around liquor sales in grocery stores, this framework strikes the balance of added convenience for consumers and support for B.C.’s business sector, while at the same time respecting health and public safety considerations.”

SoundCloud clip of Anton: http://ow.ly/Cx9wV

Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform John Yap -

“Basing B.C.’s grocery model on the ‘traditional’ grocery experience aligns with the feedback and calls for convenience we heard from British Columbians throughout the Liquor Policy Review. Shoppers told us they wanted to be able to grab a bottle of wine along with their evening groceries on their way home from work - and this framework fits the bill.”

SoundCloud clip of Yap:  http://ow.ly/Cx9EW

Learn More:

Artist rendering of what B.C.’s new two-part grocery model could look like: http://bit.ly/1kB3dlT

Factsheet on B.C.’s two-part model for grocery store liquor sales: http://ow.ly/ujJz0

Factsheet on B.C.’s commitment to protect health and public safety: http://ow.ly/ujJte

Learn about Parliamentary Secretary John Yap’s grocery recommendations: http://bit.ly/1gA1uHL

Find the final report on the B.C. Liquor Policy Review: http://bit.ly/1beqi8i

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

BACKGROUNDER

Details on liquor-grocery framework

As work continues to finalize B.C.’s two-part grocery model, with implementation expected in spring 2015, a timeline of the work being done will help give industry time to prepare so that consumers can soon see the added benefit and convenience of liquor sales in grocery stores.

March 2014:

• Government announces it will adopt a two-part grocery model:
  • A “store-within-a-store” model, which will have separate cashiers, safeguarding health and safety and ensuring restricted access to alcohol by minors.
  • A second model, which is currently being explored, will see a limited number of licences for the sale of B.C. wine off designated shelves within the store and purchased at designated cashiers.
• The moratorium on private liquor store licences will continue - protecting health and public safety.
• The one kilometre rule will be maintained and expanded to government liquor stores, to level the playing field, ensure the market does not become saturated and protect the investment of existing private liquor stores.
• The five-kilometre rule will be removed to allow for the relocation of licences throughout the province.
• A new price-based wholesale pricing model for wine and spirits distributed by the Liquor Distribution Branch will be developed, leveling the playing field for liquor retailers.

October 2014:

• Government announces that, in order for grocery stores to be able to sell liquor under the “store-within-a-store” model, they must:
  • Sell approximately 75% food products - aligning with the traditional grocery experience.
  • Be a minimum of 929 square metres (10,000 square feet).
  • Not be general merchandise or, as previously announced, convenience stores.
• Grocery stores will have the opportunity to co-brand with liquor stores.
• There will be no minimum size requirement for liquor retail stores within grocery stores.

Winter 2014-15:

• Details on wholesale pricing for wine and spirits expected to be announced.
• Details on the second part of the grocery model - allowing B.C. wine on designated shelves - expected to be announced.

Spring 2015:

• Grocery model expected to be ready for implementation.
• All elements to level the playing field between private liquor stores and government liquor stores to be implemented.
• Complete re-write of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act planned.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602