Should Your BC Liquor Store Deliver and Do You Need a Liquor Delivery License?

If you run a private liquor store, you may have wondered about providing liquor delivery. In this article we discuss the pros, cons, and easy ways to get started.

In Today’s World, Retail Customers Expect Convenience

Back in the day, before everything was delivered to our doors, retailers differentiated their business by knowing customers’ needs, stocking accordingly, having competitive pricing and providing top-notch customer service. Nowadays, “convenience” is the differentiator. Convenience is one of the cornerstones of a good customer experience. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, 43% of consumers say they’d pay more for greater convenience.

We’ve become spoiled by the breathtaking delivery speed of online retail giants and food and grocery delivery services. Our high expectations have pushed many liquor stores into providing liquor delivery.

Do I Need a Liquor Delivery License in BC?

In BC, if you have a liquor store license, you don’t need a separate liquor delivery license. Any licensed, private liquor store in BC (Licensee Retail Store) can make deliveries using their own employees or a third-party delivery service as long as LCRB delivery terms and conditions are met.

For details, see “Delivery” on page 21 of the  “Licensee Retail Store Terms & Conditions” handbook.

Pros & Cons of Delivering Liquor

Liquor delivery, like any service, has an upside and a downside.

Pros

• Start a new revenue stream from customers that wouldn’t otherwise visit your store
• Get more repeat business from existing customers
• Extend your reach beyond the neighbourhood where your store is located
• Low barrier of entry
• When your physical liquor store is slow, liquor delivery may be busy enough to offset revenue

Cons

• More responsibilities for you and your staff could be a detriment to the in-store customer experience
• You must be vigilant about adhering to delivery terms and conditions
• Delivery persons must check ID and refuse service to minors or intoxicated customers. Errors in judgement could lead to fines or license suspensions
• Expenses for labor, vehicles, fuel, and insurance add up
• Third-party delivery services take a cut of profit
• Delivery drivers may be targets for theft and any fraudulent orders may result in chargebacks

Easiest Ways to Start Delivering Liquor

There are a three relatively low-cost entry points into the world of liquor delivery:

• Create a free Google Business page and specify that you have delivery. “Delivery” will be listed beneath your business details.
  
• Sign up to Uber Eats“UberEATS Lite” helps businesses reach customers that already know your store. Delivery order fee: 20%.

  “UberEATS Plus” helps businesses get discovered by new customers. Delivery order fee: 25%.

• Sign up to Skip the Dishes.Use SkipGo – a delivery-as-a-service channel. Average flat fee of $8.50 for delivery orders.

  Use the Skip Marketplace to get access to customers and couriers. Delivery order fee: 25% (+$0.99 credit card processing fee).

Questions About Liquor Delivery Requirements? Thrive Has Answers

If you have questions about liquor delivery terms and conditions, contact the liquor store consultants at Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors. We’ll ensure that you’re set up right. We’ll help you get up and running and will safeguard your liquor license by providing your staff with hands-on compliance training and easy-to-follow manuals.