Editorial – Sunday Sales

We're about to be hit with a bunch of news items about the Hoosiers for Beverage Choices (again) (example). All based off this press release. The purpose of this push is to prepare public opinion acceptance of Sunday sales in grocery markets and gas stations in Indiana.

"From now through July 19th, over 1,000 retail locations throughout the state will promote the HBC effort to allow for Sunday carryout sales and cold beer sales at drug, grocery and convenience stores. Retailers will convey the HBC message to customers through in-store displays and advertisements. Customers will also have the opportunity to join the effort by signing a petition in these stores."

"Hoosiers for Beverage Choices is a statewide, consumer-driven effort that supports the modernization of Indiana's alcoholic beverage laws to allow for convenience, real choices, and competitive prices while maintaining regulations and laws that prevent minors from purchasing alcohol. The effort is sponsored by Indiana retailers and their trade associations, including the Indiana Retail Council, the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, and the Indiana Petroleum Council."

One. This is an joint program of the groceries, convenient marts, and gas stations. It is not a "consumer-driven" program. You'll hear the words "grass roots" soon.

Two. What they want is Sunday sales. Warm Sunday sales. The "cold beer sales" is a shroud; a throwaway when it comes to next session's legislative committee negotiations. Cold sales could, by nature, include liquor stores – negating the market advantage these associations want.

Three. What they want is beer, wine, and malternative Sunday sales. Grocery and drug stores stock and sell spirits but they are willing to give up those Sunday sales for the sake of getting the bill approved by committee.

Four. The liquor store lobbyist, John Livengood of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, said for the record last year "package liquor stores do not have Sunday carryout sales and do not want Sunday sales."

Five. Sunday sales, are good for the industry as a whole, for beer drinkers, for state revenue, and for democracy.

Six. Warm Sunday sales at groceries, drug stores, and gas stations is NOT good for the Indiana Microbrewing industry or for craft beer in general.

- Craft beer is only 1% of the total sold in Indiana but it is far smaller than that at places where you can get gas, a Slurpee, and a $1 hot dog. They don't offer anything except BudMillerCoors.

- Increasing sales at such places will sell more yellow water but even 100 more barrels of Indiana beer.

- Some grocery stores do stock Upland, Barley Island, Mad Anthony, Three Floyds, Oaken Barrel and others but again, these represent a blip on the radar of their beer sales.

Seven. The Brewers of Indiana Guild has been trying for years to get the ability to sell growlers on Sundays at their brewpubs. The only upside to this proposal seems to be that the B.I.G. will no doubt get Sunday sales if the HBC plan gets approved – but brewpub sales are a separate issue and mill probably pass in 2010 anyway.

My bottom line.

I've not needed to run to a store on Sunday since I stopped running to State Line Liquors in Niles, MI back in my college days and that wasn't to buy craft beer.

Warm Sunday sales won't help us beer geeks, just the big foreign-owned brewers and, of course, the distributors. Support this or not. It won't make a whale of a lot of difference to us.

What we really could use is open Sunday sales. No special rules except to extend the week-day closing times to Sunday also. This would allow liquors stores to open if they want but most could stay closed. Stores like the Liquor Stop in Highland and many others in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Clarksville, Evansville, and Terre Haute will profit from the extra day of selling craft and Indiana beer to out-of-staters. And we'll profit by keeping the playing field level and maintaining the 1% share of the market that we are interested in.

Bob

Addenda – The articles start.

Sunday liquor sales advocates regrouping for 2010 | IndyStar.com

Group pushes Sunday alcohol sales again | IndyStar.com

Sunday alcohol sales sparks debate – WISH TV

YouTube - Debate continues over Sunday alcohol sales – WISH TV

Tristate Regional News, Friday 7/3

Pro-Sunday alcohol sale group gets active again | thestarpress.com

Hoosiers For Beverage Choices Looks to Expand Membership - Inside INdiana Business

Group pushing for carry out Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana - WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY

Press continues for tweaks in Sunday liquor sale laws - Journal and Courier

C-stores Join Campaign for Beer Sales in Indiana – Convenience Store Decisions