Liquor sales up, but more drink at home

atthebarinsideFor many Virginians, it looks like hard liquor isn’t considered discretionary spending.

Sales at Virginia ABC stores are up 6.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago, according to fiscal year-to-date (July-November) sales figures from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

A closer look at the numbers indicates more drinkers are buying a bottle and heading home instead of bellying up to the bar. Sales to mixed-beverage licensees are up a meager 0.6 percent, but sales to individual customers are up 8.1 percent.

A number of factors have helped boost sales, including a two percent price hike and expanding Sunday store hours. Without the price hike, individual sales are up only 3.8 percent and down 1.9 percent to mixed-beverage licensees, according to an AP story.

Earlier this month BizSense reported on solid ABC sales, and Richmonders’ changing tastes. Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey replaced Grey Goose vodka as the number one seller for the first four months of this fiscal year compared to the same time last year.

Al Harris covers the booze industry for BizSense. He may be out celebrating tonight, er, researching the industry.

atthebarinsideFor many Virginians, it looks like hard liquor isn’t considered discretionary spending.

Sales at Virginia ABC stores are up 6.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago, according to fiscal year-to-date (July-November) sales figures from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

A closer look at the numbers indicates more drinkers are buying a bottle and heading home instead of bellying up to the bar. Sales to mixed-beverage licensees are up a meager 0.6 percent, but sales to individual customers are up 8.1 percent.

A number of factors have helped boost sales, including a two percent price hike and expanding Sunday store hours. Without the price hike, individual sales are up only 3.8 percent and down 1.9 percent to mixed-beverage licensees, according to an AP story.

Earlier this month BizSense reported on solid ABC sales, and Richmonders’ changing tastes. Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey replaced Grey Goose vodka as the number one seller for the first four months of this fiscal year compared to the same time last year.

Al Harris covers the booze industry for BizSense. He may be out celebrating tonight, er, researching the industry.

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