Help ABLE BC's Advocacy Efforts

Help ABLE BC's Advocacy Efforts New Reporting Tools for Unfair BCL Retail Practices & Inter-Provincial Retailing BC Liquor Stores Hidden SKU & Flash Sale Reporting Tool   ABLE BC's LRS Policy Committee is examining serious allegations of unfair retail practices from BC Liquor Stores. Members have alerted the committee to several "hidden" SKUs -- i.e. products exclusive to BCLs but with an equivalent higher-priced SKU in the private channel. These hidden SKUs are often used in BCL flash sales, which in some cases are sold at or below the wholesale price of the equivalent LRS product.  We are deeply concerned this may be a deliberate strategy to undercut private retailers and gain market share. If so, we believe this is both unfair and counter to government's goals of encouraging responsible consumption.  We need your help to gather examples of hidden SKUs sold at or below the wholesale price of equivalent LRS products. Use our new reporting tool to help ABLE BC build a file of examples we can bring to government. REPORT HERE Inter-Provincial Retailing Reporting Tool Many members have provided with examples of Alberta liquor retailers shipping products directly to customers in BC, which is against the law. We are also aware of Alberta liquor retailers advertising online to BC customers, encouraging illegal inter-provincial retailing.  Not only is this practice offside with regulations, it is also hurting LRS profitability here in BC. Some members have reported significant lost revenue from sale of higher-priced products or bulk orders for events, with customers freely admitting they are ordering from Alberta instead. Left unchecked, this practice will also mean substantial lost tax revenue for the BC government. To complicate the issue further, the legal drinking age in Alberta is 18 compared to 19 in BC. When shipping products across the border, Albertan retailers are not required, nor are they equipped, to ensure they are not selling to minors in BC. While we work with our government partners to resolve this issue, you may recall that several months ago Alberta’s Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) unfairly delisted all BC wines after allegations that some BC wineries were shipping products directly to Albertan consumers. This dispute has not yet been resolved.  We need your help to stop illegal inter-provincial retailing. Use our new reporting tool to document examples of Alberta retailers advertising in BC and Alberta retailers delivering orders to customers in BC.  REPORT HERE Please note you can submit anonymously for both reporting tools. All information gathered will remain confidential. Send supporting documents or images to david@ablebc.ca. Questions? Contact ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, at jeff@ablebc.ca. LEARN MORE Copyright © 2024 BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) 200 - 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1N9 Canada