Alberta Advisory Committee Says ‘No’ to Liquor in Grocery and Convenience Stores

In October 2024, an Alberta MLA Advisory Committee tasked with evaluating the province’s liquor retail model recommended, “the province should not move forward with allowing liquor sales in grocery and convenience stores”. The recommendation against the change came after extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, experts and Alberta retail liquor licensees.

Scott Sinclar, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and committee member, said of the decision “Expanding liquor sales to grocery and convenience stores may seem convenient for consumers, but it would have a detrimental effect on the retail liquor store industry. Our review determined that such a move would significantly harm small businesses and could ultimately lead to widespread closures, job losses and diminished selection for consumers.”

Source: “MLA Committee Completes Liquor Model Review”, Government of Alberta news release, October 2, 2024.

Background

In 1993, Alberta became the first province with a fully-privatize liquor retail model including retailing, warehousing and distribution.

Alberta Liquor Model Quick Facts

• 4 out of 5 adults in Alberta purchase alcohol
• 2,200 private liquor stores operate in the province
• Alberta liquor licensees, including retailers, buy liquor products at wholesale prices
• All licensees pay the same wholesale price and delivery rate
• 90% of Albertans are satisfied with location, level of service and product selection of private liquor stores

Source: “Alberta’s liquor model”, AGLC.

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