Liquor Industry Update: October 13, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Heres’ what you’ll find in today’s update:
Resumption of LDB Wholesale Distribution
BCGEU Strike Rumours
Interchange Fees
Have You Registered for SPARK?
Collective Perspective Survey
Renewal Season is Here!
Western Financial Group Relaunches Hospitality Insurance Program
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Benefit Highlight: Global Payments
EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Join ABLE BC Today!
Find all past updates here.
Resumption of LDB Wholesale Distribution
The Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) distribution centres and Wholesale Customer Centres (WCC) have completed all orders scheduled to ship prior to October 5. You will be notified when your order has been shipped.
We are grateful to LDB and WCC for working additional shifts and overtime to catch up on the high volume of orders. We understand how challenging it is to deal with orders and deliveries right now and your continued patience and understanding is appreciated. As a reminder, catching up on orders and getting back to normal service levels will take time.
LDB remains one week behind due to a continuation of higher than predicted volume. Due to high order volumes and the resumption of seasonal promotions, LDB estimates it will take until the end of October before service levels and delivery timelines return to normal.
Delivery windows and ETAs remain unavailable. We understand how frustrating and challenging it is to run your businesses with low inventories and little information about when orders will arrive.
We assure you that the LDB warehouses are doing their best to get products back into your businesses. Your flexibility and understanding that deliveries may arrive outside regular delivery windows is greatly appreciated. We ask that you remain polite and professional with LDB and Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC) employees as they navigate current delivery challenges.
The WCC will notify customers once an order has been shipped from the distribution centre. LDB kindly asks that customers do not contact the distribution centres, please direct all inquiries to WCC at wholesalehelp@bcldb.com or 604-775-0681 or 1-888-775-0681.
Non-stocked wholesale products (spec products) are being shipped but will continue to experience delays.
We continue to meet with LDB frequently to pass along industry needs and feedback and ensure that orders are shipped efficiently and fairly.
Click here to read a memo from LDB.
We will offer further updates as soon as they are available.
BCGEU Strike Rumours
We know many of you continue to hear rumours about the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) going back on strike. As we have noted before, there is currently no evidence that these rumours are true.
The BCGEU began voting on the tentative agreement on Monday, October 3. Voting will end at 5:00 pm on Monday, October 17. We will provide an update as soon as the votes are counted and the results are available.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the ratification process here.
Interchange Fees
As of October 6, 2022, businesses in Canada are now permitted to pass along interchange fees—i.e. the fees you are charged to process credit card transactions—to customers in the form of a surcharge.
Interchange fees are set by credit card providers such as Visa and MasterCard and charged to businesses for all credit card transactions. Until last week, businesses had to absorb the cost of these fees. Now businesses are permitted to recoup this lost revenue by surcharging customers up to 2.4% on credit card transactions.
ABLE BC is working to determine best practices around surcharging customers or not. Currently, there is no industry consensus on surcharging or not. We trust that members will make the choice that is best for their business.
We are looking into whether BC Liquor Stores or the LDB will surcharge their customers. At this time, neither have announced plans to surcharge customers or licensees. We will provide an update on this as soon as we are able to and will push back if this is the case.
According to the Retail Council of Canada, it is not common in other jurisdictions for businesses to surcharge and it is not expected that many Canadian businesses will surcharge customers for credit card transactions.
Should you choose to surcharge your customers, you are required to provide 30 days notice to credit card providers. The amount you can surcharge is capped at 2.4% or the amount it costs you to accept a credit card, whichever is less. This amount must be tied to the decision to pay with a credit card rather than a product or service. Be sure to educate your customers and be clear that the surcharge is only for credit card transactions and that customers can avoid the additional fee by using debit or cash.
Click here and here to learn more.
Have you made plans to introduce a credit card surcharge? Let us know. Contact us at info@ablebc.ca.
Have you Registered for SPARK?
Taking place November 15 on Granville Island, SPARK is a first-of-its-kind industry conference and can't miss event that will bring together BC's liquor and hospitality industries and stakeholders for a day of networking, education, and critical industry and economic updates.
Why should you attend SPARK?
ACCESS: direct access to government officials and presentations by key industry leaders and opinion experts across BC's hospitality sector.
VALUABLE SEMINARS: new seminar topics to help you adapt to the changing business world. Learn about consumer and shopper insights, supply chain issues, workforce, and much more!
NETWORKING: Meet and connect with accommodation, hospitality, and liquor operators from across BC - one of the chances you get to see all the people in one room!
PLUS: a member-exclusive joint lunch & workforce session at Dockside Restaurant and post-conference industry reception.
Travelling from out of town? Book your stay today!
Book with Granville Island Hotel with a rate of $199.00 using code: 221113BCHO. Space is limited!
Book with Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver using their exclusive social rate
Collective Perspective Survey
The BC Chamber of Commerce has released the 2022 Collective Perspective Survey.
This annual survey captures insight from businesses of every size, and from every sector and region in the province — making it the largest economic snapshot of B.C.'s business environment.
The survey results will help to:
Identify evolving trends that help us better understand our past, present, and future business climate.
Inform the policy priorities and advocacy efforts of the BC Chamber of Commerce and its provincial network.
Educate government on the issues that matter most to BC businesses.
This survey will take ~5 minutes to complete and closes on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 5:00pm PST.
Click here to take the survey now.
Renewal Season is Here!
ABLE BC memberships expired on August 31, 2022. All members have been sent an invoice. If you have not received yours, please reach out to Ann, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.
ABLE BC is the only association fighting for BC’s private liquor industry, and we will continue the fight every day. We are only able to do this work because of the support of our members. Put simply, ABLE BC does not exist without your membership dues.
Thank you to everyone who has renewed already! Your support is critical to our industry’s success.
Looking for more ways to support our advocacy work? You can donate to our advocacy fund at any time! Donating to this fund gives us the resources we need to seek legal counsel, pressure government through media campaigns, and provide additional resources to our members for free.
Any amount helps! Those who donate $5000 by Dec. 1 will be invited to a special event hosted by ABLE BC’s President Yvan Charette and featuring a senior elected official. (We’ll announce more details soon.)
Looking back over the past year, we’re proud of the work we did to support you and our industry. We have a solid track record of success in achieving policy changes that support your businesses.
Last summer, while still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, ABLE BC continued to be your voice and your community. Here are some of our successes from the past year:
Frequent media coverage to put pressure on government for needed policy reforms and financial support
Guidance and resources for vaccination policies and mandatory paid sick leave
Free educational webinars on topics that matter most to you, including e-commerce for LRS, understanding Bill 10, hiring foreign workers
In-person meetings across the province through May and June to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most to your businesses
We secured permanent wholesale pricing for hospitality businesses
We secured permission for LRS businesses to sell to Special Event Permit (SEP) holders and produced guidance around the best practices for building this new revenue stream
Hospitality businesses are now allowed to sell alcohol and cocktails to-go with takeaway and delivery meals
We extended the moratorium on new LRS licences a further 10 years, until 2032
We extended temporary patio permissions
We reactivated our LRS and LP committees to help us shape our policy priorities and goals for the future
During the BCGEU strike, we worked tirelessly to support our industry in several ways:
Met with government daily to explain the damage the strike was doing to industry, maintain pressure for a swift end to the labour dispute, and provide feedback on LDB restart plans
Provided near-daily updates and an FAQ to keep members informed
Produced a survey to measure the impact on our industry
Created free signage for LRS and cannabis retail stores explaining stock outages to customers
Collated a list of local producers offering direct delivery
Hosted a free webinar with go2HR on How to Navigate Employee Layoffs
Along with a coalition of industry associations, published an open letter to government and the BCGEU calling for an end to the dispute and strike action.
The BCGEU strike put a spotlight on the inefficiencies of our distribution system. Now that the strike is over, we will be pressing for logical reform to the current government monopoly. Things like direct delivery of locally produced ready-to-drink canned cocktails, privatised distribution of certain non-stocked spec products, and the ability of LRSs to sell directly to hospitality businesses.
We will continue pushing for critical liquor policy reforms and improvements, including:
Expanding our advocacy efforts to support BC’s emerging private cannabis industry
Maintain the 1 km distance rule between liquor stores in perpetuity
Protect the differentiation between liquor retailing and the ability of LPs and FPs to sell alcohol with take-away/delivery meals
Permit licensee sales, allowing private liquor retailers to sell products directly to hospitality customers
Tackle our industry’s growing labour crisis, which is handcuffing thousands of businesses and hindering your return to profitability
Stabilise skyrocketing insurance premiums, particularly for our LP and LP-nightclub members
Modernise liquor licensing applications so the process is faster, simpler, and more transparent
Streamline provincial and municipal processes for making temporary patios permanent
Continue our work with LDB Wholesale to improve service and delivery and advocate to allow wholesale customers greater flexibility on where they can purchase products
Click here to see a summary of ABLE BC’s benefits.
Click here for instructions on paying your renewal invoice.
Western Financial Group Relaunches Hospitality Insurance Program
Renewal for the beverage division of the Hospitality Insurance Program (HIP) is October 1st, 2022 – October 1st, 2023.
After extensive negotiations and collaboration with insurance partners and member associations, Western Financial Group (WFG) is pleased to provide all program participants with the Protected Self Insurance Structure (PSIP) moving forward. This unique structure affords program participants with an ownership of their program premiums and an ability to influence stability and the costs associated with insurance coverage.
Under the HIP, 35% of program premiums for the beverage division are allocated through to a member-owned “Protected Self-Insurance Fund” used to payout the first portion of claims. The PSIP fund can never be in a deficit and allows for opportunities for return-of-premium when surpluses exist. Previously, the PSIP loss pool generated $2.6 million in returns of premium back to program participants – funds that otherwise would have stayed within the insurance industry.
WFG reminds you to please review all of the insurance amounts and limitations on your Certificate of Insurance. Policy wordings are accessible through www.hipinsurance.ca
WFG is committed to partnering with the hospitality industry to provide creative solutions to ensure industry-leading coverage continues to be afforded under the Program. Policies continue to be tailored to every participating property per their varying insurance needs and requirements. Most importantly, we continue to develop creative and proactive risk management policies and procedures to help members reduce losses and positively impact their Program.
The Hospitality Insurance Program is a value-added membership benefit of ABLE BC. Membership in good standing with ABLE BC is a requirement for participation on the Hospitality Insurance Program.
Should you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your respective Commercial Insurance Advisor or call WFG toll-free at 1-800-665-8990.
Click here for an overview of the PSIP relaunch.
Click here for the HIP renewal package.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
WORTH Association Empower Her in Kelowna October 18, 2022
Join the WORTH Association and women of recreation, tourism, and hospitality on October 18th for an evening of networking with an inspiring panel discussion in Kelowna. WORTH's Empower Her event aims to connect a community of leaders who will expand their network and create meaningful relationships. The Okanagan's top female tourism and hospitality leaders will share inspiring ideas with the intention of sparking dialogue about issues that impact women in the workplace. Their perspectives will inform, inspire, and empower women as we collectively identify ways to accelerate women to senior roles in the industry.
Hosted by: Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
Panellists:
• Shelley Robinson, Chef & Owner Goldern Lucky Peach Enterprises
• Christina Ferreira, Owner Impact Events
• Siobhan Detkavich, Chef & Television Personality
• Lisanne Ballantyne, CEO Tourism Kelowna
• Sandy Leier, Winemaker Laughing Stock Vineyards
Date: October 18, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
Location: Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna
Click here for details and ticket sales and here for Empower Her events in Victoria, Vancouver, and Whistler.
Vancouver IVSA Buyer’s Salon NEW DATE October 18, 2022
The Vancouver IVSA Buyer’s Salon is coming up soon! RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca now to sample products from several liquor agents.
When: Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 12:30-4:00 pm
Where: The Vancouver Club, 915 W Hastings Street
Agents will showcase the newest imported wines, spirits & beers. Also look for unique featured imports. Attendance may be restricted to the following: licensee buyers, proprietors, sommeliers, managers, chefs, media, and BCLS product consultants only.
RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca. Your RSVP must include your full name (first and last) and company name or website.
Victoria IVSA Buyer’s Salon October 24, 2022
The Victoria IVSA Buyer’s Salon is coming up soon! RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca now to sample products from several liquor agents.
When: Monday, October 24, 2022, 12:30-4:00 pm
Where: Delta Ocean Pointe, 100 Harbour Road
Agents will showcase the newest imported wines, spirits & beers. Also look for unique featured imports. Attendance may be restricted to the following: licensee buyers, proprietors, sommeliers, managers, chefs, media, and BCLS product consultants only.
RSVP to admin@ivsa.ca. Your RSVP must include your full name (first and last) and company name or website.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference March 1-3, 2023
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) are excited to announce the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference will return March 1-3, 2023.
The 2023 conference will take place in Prince George and will bring an array of unique industry speakers and topics relating to the next chapter of tourism and hospitality within our province.
Click here to learn more.
BC Beer Con November 8 & 9, 2022
Attend BC Beer Con’s peer and industry led educational seminars organized into three tracks. Each day will have two concurrent seminar sessions to pick and choose the ones that are most relevant to you.
Date: November 8 & 9, 2022
Location: Anvil Centre, New Westminster
Click here to register.
Benefit Highlight: Global Payments
We are pleased to partner with Global Payments to bring you access to the broadest selection of payment technology and software solutions in Canada. Make use of this limited-time offer and start accepting payments anywhere—online, through mobile, in-store, and more, for less!
Special Limited Time Offer for ABLE BC members (sign up from September 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022):
Free terminal rental. Rent up to two (2) POS terminals at no additional cost for the first three (3) months.
Satisfaction guarantee. No set up fee (up to $200 savings). Try us risk-free for the first 90 days. If you are not satisfied, you can exit penalty-free.
Free cost analysis. No obligation cost analysis to identify potential savings opportunities for your business.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Benefits for ABLE BC Members:
Streamlined payments: Acceptance for all major debit and credit payment types, including digital wallets
Robust suite of payment products: Includes the latest smart terminals and virtual terminals to offer you a choice of next-generation countertop, wireless, and online payment acceptance.
Online Ordering: Take your restaurant business wherever your customers are, in just a few clicks. Give your customers the ability to view your menu and place orders from any location through the web or smartphone.
Home Currency Pay at no cost: This dynamic currency conversion service is a must for hosting international travelers. Boost profits and customer satisfaction.
Fast access to funds: Deposited to your bank account as early as the next business day.
Comprehensive industry-leading support: The support you need, when you need it—24/7/365.
Contact Global Payments today!
EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale
The BC Craft Brewers Guild has partnered with six BC breweries and Destination BC on a new collaboration brew for BC Craft Beer Month – the EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale!
You can order this limited edition beer to sell at your LRS or LP business now. It will be available in 19.5-litre kegs, 50-litre kegs, and 6-packs, while supplies last. Contact john@ravensbrewing.com to order.
About the beer: BC peaches present a beautiful golden-orange colour, while the Lærdal Kveik yeast and BC hops provide fruity, floral flavours above a clean, rounded malt base that elevates the whole beer. Lastly, a pinch of sea salt makes this ale sparkle. This limited edition Peach Farmhouse Ale is a true representation of our province that pairs perfectly with BC’s natural beauty.
Participating Breweries:
Ravens Brewing
Whistle Buoy Brewing
Fox Mountain
Torchlight Brewing
Slackwater Brewing
Deadfall Brewing
Out and About with Able BC!
You might remember back in May and June our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, took off on a motorcycle trip around BC hosting liquor industry meetings across the Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies areas. Near the end of the tour, we began to make plans for a September trip to meet with members in Northern BC, Whistler, and other parts of the province. Unfortunately, the BCGEU strike put a wrench in those plans and kept Jeff grounded in Vancouver.
With our SPARK conference coming up on November 15 (have you got your ticket yet?) and a busy holiday season close behind, we’ve put a pause on hosting liquor industry meetings throughout the province for now. But come springtime you can be sure to see us in a community near you! If you’d like to host a liquor industry meeting in the future, please reach out to Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication at ann@ablebc.ca to let us know!
Join ABLE BC Today!
ABLE BC is the leading liquor advocacy organization in the province. We have a proven track record of success fighting for the interests of Liquor Primary and Licensee Retail Store businesses. We are dedicated to helping our industry come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
We can’t do our work without the support of our members. ABLE is a non-profit organization and we depend on membership fees to continue to lobby and fight for your needs.
ABLE BC members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice, regular webinars, the annual Liquor Industry Conference, and many networking opportunities.