Select B.C. grocery stores will begin stocking alcohol this spring, plans for which first emerged in 2013. Yet, compared with the rest of Canada, B.C. is still relatively ambivalent in its attitudes and approach toward the sales of booze. Here, then, is a quick comparison
British Columbia
Where can liquor be sold?
B.C. has a relatively evenly split system of government and private liquor stores, the latter accounting for roughly 43 per cent of sales. Soon select grocery stores will be able to stock booze (but not big-box retailers like Walmart or corner stores).
On average, how much does a six-pack of beer cost? (average price of a six-pack in 2013)
$16.41
(private stores)
What are people drinking? (as a percentage of total 2013 liquor sales)
Wine
34%
Spirits
28%
Beer
38%
Total: $3.10 billion
And are they consuming more or less? (in dollars spent, from 2012 to 2013)
+2.4%
Alberta
Where can liquor be sold?
Alberta privatized liquor stores in 1993 and remains the only provincial government to have done so. While Alberta now has plenty of liquor vendors, 1,300 (up from 200 before privatization), grocery stores are not permitted to sell booze.
On average, how much does a six-pack of beer cost? (average price of a six-pack in 2013)
$14.81
(private stores)
What are people drinking? (as a percentage of total 2013 liquor sales)
Spirits
31%
Beer
44%
Wine
25%
Total: $2.42 billion
And are they consuming more or less? (in dollars spent, from 2012 to 2013)
+7.0%
Ontario
Where can liquor be sold?
Most of Ontario’s liquor stores are run by the LCBO, a Crown corporation—although some private vendors, like The Beer Store monopoly, have special permission to sell booze. Some grocery stores also have private wine outlets within them.
On average, how much does a six-pack of beer cost? (average price of a six-pack in 2013)
$10.88
(The Beer Store)
What are people drinking? (as a percentage of total 2013 liquor sales)
Spirits
28%
Beer
42%
Wine
30%
Total: $7.51 billion
And are they consuming more or less? (in dollars spent, from 2012 to 2013)
+2.9%
Quebec
Where can liquor be sold?
Quebec’s liquor system, while technically public, allows for the sale of beer and wine at grocery and corner stores. Hard liquor, however, must be purchased from government-run SAQ stores.
On average, how much does a six-pack of beer cost? (average price of a six-pack in 2013)
$14.08
(grocery + corner stores)
What are people drinking? (as a percentage of total 2013 liquor sales)
Spirits
13%
Beer
44%
Wine
43%
Total: $5.34 billion
And are they consuming more or less? (in dollars spent, from 2012 to 2013)
-0.6%
