Canada: Consumers’ Association finds BC consumers paying millions more at private liquor stores

The Consumers’ Association of Canada released on March 16 its study on the impact of the proliferation of private liquor stores in British Columbia.

"Consumers are now paying millions more each year for beer, wine and liquor due to the dramatic increase in the number of private liquor stores across the province," said Mr. Bruce Cran, President of the Consumers’ Association.

Hundreds of new private liquor stores have opened over the last three years. At the same time more and more Government stores with larger selection and lower prices have been ordered closed. "This action has resulted in consumers paying up to 35% higher prices at private stores," said Mr. Cran. "The only good news for consumers is that they can now purchase liquor, beer and wine at 10 PM on a Sunday night which they couldn’t do before."

The irony of the private liquor store approach is that the Government promoted the fact that consumers were supposed to reap the benefits of competition. "To date, consumers can only cry in their beer over higher prices."

The Consumers’ Association of Canada will hold a press conference 9:30 a.m. Vancouver Time today, in the Nootka Room at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.

17 March, 2006