3 changes to BC Liquor Stores you will start to notice on April 1
Change in pricing, longer hours and cold beer coming to BC Liquor Stores this Wednesday
B.C.'s liquor review has been a long process with a number of incremental changes, but there are a number of changes coming into effect on April 1 that consumers will notice right away.
Starting Wednesday, select grocery stores will officially be allowed to sell B.C. wine on their shelves, but its unclear when the first of these stores will be ready to start selling wine.
There are also a number of changes to the government-operated BC Liquor Stores.
1. It will look cheaper, but it will cost the same
Beer, wine and spirits will be marked at a lower price, but when you get to the till — April Fools — it will cost about the same as before.
That's because right now, the price shown in BC Liquor Stores is the after tax price.
The new tags will show the price before taxes.
"The comparison they need to do is at the till … when you're doing a comparison, it's that price at the till that you want to compare," B.C. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton told The Early Edition's Rick Cluff.
2. Stores will be open later and on holidays
BC Liquor Stores will be allowed to match the hours of private liquor stores, and will be able to be open on Sundays and holidays — including the upcoming Easter weekend.
"People are used to having stores open, and it's always been a little odd — certainly in the last while — that BC Liquor Stores are closed so much on the weekends and holidays," said Anton.
3. Beer will be kept cold in store
Cold beer will no longer be limited to the privately-owned cold beer and wine stores, or just select BC Liquor stores, known as signature stores.
Starting Wednesday, all stores will have the choice to install refrigerators to sell chilled beer and wine.
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To hear the full interview with Suzanne Anton, click the audio labelled: Suzanne Anton on B.C. liquor changes.