COVID-19 Update: July 9, 2020
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:
Correction: BC Liquor Stores not accepting empties
Register for Hospitality Product Catalogue by July 20 to access wholesale pricing
Sign-up for Wines of BC Explorer: drive customers to your liquor store
BC Provincial State of Emergency Extended
BC’s Small Businesses and COVID-19 Virtual Townhall: July 13
Find PPE for your business
COVID-19 Support Service
Correction: BC Liquor Stores not accepting empties
Please disregard our earlier update that BC Liquor Stores are now accepting empties.
Their website states the following:
Please be advised that customers can use their reusable containers, bags, and boxes, effective Monday, June 1 at BC Liquor Stores.
Although the BC Centre for Disease Control no longer recommends suspending reusable containers, as a safety precaution, BC Liquor Stores staff will not be physically handling any reusable containers.
If a customer wishes to use their own reusable bag or container, we would ask that the customer bags his or her own purchases. Also, reusable containers may not be placed on counters for sanitary reasons.
If you choose to accept empties, BDL has shared with us the following resources on safely handling empty returns:
OHE Consultants: Information on surface contamination risk and COVID-19
Classes of microorganisms ranked according to susceptibility to disinfectants
Register for LDB Hospitality Product Catalogue by July 20
As you know, beginning July 20, 2020, hospitality customers will be able to buy at wholesale prices.
The first phase of LDB systems changes will be delivered by July 20, 2020 when hospitality customers will be able to buy at wholesale prices. Until July 20, 2020, all hospitality customers will continue to pay retail price.
The second phase will be completed by September 1, 2020 and will provide hospitality customers access to the wholesale price list through the fully functioning Hospitality Product Catalogue.
From July 20 through to September 1, 2020, a searchable wholesale price list file will be posted to the Hospitality Product Catalogue as an interim measure to assist hospitality customers with their purchasing decisions until the Catalogue resumes its full functionality on September 1, 2020.
To access wholesale pricing you must register for the Hospitality Product Catalogue before July 20. There is no other way to know the wholesale price.
Learn more and register here.
Hospitality customers with Web Store accounts will have automatic access to wholesale prices via Web Store when they become available on July 20, 2020 and do not need to register for any additional online accounts.
For more information please read the LDB Wholesale update.
Sign-up for Wines of BC Explorer: drive customers to your liquor store
ABLE BC has partnered with Taste Advisor to offer members a special discount on the Wines of BC Explorer app.
Wines of BC Explorer takes the guesswork out of buying wine.
The app matches an individual’s personal taste preferences to a database of 100% BC wines, resulting in an easy to navigate, personalized wine list.
Retailers who choose to list their store in the app are included on the list of closest retail locations where each wine can be purchased. This makes your location the natural choice for consumers who are nearby and ready to buy.
In addition, retailers can list all 100% BC wines available at their location. The list is automatically displayed in the order of a consumer’s personal tastes, making it easy to see which wines are the best match and therefore the ones to buy.
Special pricing for ABLE BC members: $15 per month ($5 savings per month) or $180 per year on Wines of BC Explorer subscription.
Your annual subscription includes:
A profile of your retail location in the Wines of BC Explorer app
A listing of all BC wines available at your retail location on the app
Your location recommended as an available retailer for each wine in your listing
Technical support to maximize your listing
To learn more click here.
To sign-up please contact: Darcen Esau at 778-985-8953 or Darcen@TasteAdvisor.co
BC Provincial State of Emergency Extended
The BC government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on July 21, 2020. This will allow government to continue to take the necessary steps to keep British Columbians safe while measures that would allow the state of emergency to be lifted seek legislative approval.
BC’s Small Businesses and COVID-19 Virtual Townhall: July 13
BC’s small businesses have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some businesses shut down completely, while others remained open with reduced services. As we carefully restart our economy and start planning for economic recovery, small business owners and British Columbians are wondering how we can all move forward together.
This virtual townhall, hosted by the BC Government on July 13, will examine what government, communities, and people can do to support small businesses all over BC.
On Monday, July 13, at noon, join Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, Tom Conway, CEO, Small Business BC, and Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey-Panorama, as they answer questions on small business in light of BC’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
Submit your questions in advance at: https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/553586?lang=en
You can also ask questions in the comments during the Facebook livestream. A YouTube livestream will also be available at https://youtu.be/Rl663PclHnI for viewing only.
Find PPE for your business
Small Business BC’s PPE Marketplace connects businesses with suppliers of non-medical PPE, plexiglass and signage.
Visit the PPE marketplace.
Are you a PPE supplier? List your services on the PPE marketplace to help supply other businesses with the safety equipment they need to operate.
Add your listing here.
COVID-19 Support Service
Small Business BC’s dedicated BC Business COVID-19 Support Service has been extended a further three months.
The support service connects businesses with the resources and guidance necessary to navigate COVID-19. Connect with an agent via phone or email, or browse their in-depth knowledge centre.