Victoria private liquor stores charge as much as 35 per cent more, price survey finds

A survey of 17 private liquor stores in the Victoria area shows that prices charged to consumers at the private outlets are significantly higher-up to 35 per cent more-than those charged at government stores, says the BC Government and Service Employees' Union.

The union carried out the comparison of prices for six of the most common popular products in the past week, says BCGEU president Darryl Walker. In all, 93 per cent of the total private store prices surveyed were higher than public Liquor Distribution Branch retail prices, but none were lower.

"The Campbell government gives private operators a generous 16 per cent discount when they purchase their stock from the government's Liquor Distribution Branch," says Walker. "Yet, private store prices remain excessively high.

"Clearly in challenging economic times, public liquor stores offer the lowest prices by far and the best value for consumers," says Walker.

Of the 102 price comparisons made in the survey (six products x 17 private stores):

• 95 prices (93 per cent of the prices surveyed) were higher than the LDB price;
• 19 prices were greater than 25 per cent above the LDB price;
• 40 prices were between 15 and 25 per cent higher; and
• only five prices were comparable to LDB retail, but none were less than at the LDB.

It also appears that some private liquor outlets jack their prices even higher during the hours when a nearby public liquor store is closed! Survey figures from the Canadian Liquor Cabinet reflect the lower prices charged while the nearby government liquor store is open. However, when the Esquimalt Road public liquor store closes, the private Liquor Cabinet prices often appear to soar by 10 to 15 per cent.

On average, private stores charged 16 per cent more for a 750 ml bottle of Smirnoff vodka, almost 13 per cent more for a bottle of Bacardi rum, and close to 14 per cent more for Crown Royal rye.

Even higher average prices were levied by private stores on the surveyed wines and beer: close to 20 per cent higher for Yellow Tail Shiraz, almost 19 per cent for Yellow Tail Chardonnay, and nearly 15 per cent more for a 12-pack of Budweiser cans.

Prices at three outlets of Liquor Depot tended to be at the high end of the survey. These stores are owned by the Alberta income fund that is aggressively seeking to expand its market share in communities like Victoria. In terms of individual stores, items closest to public liquor store prices were found at Lion's Liquor Store, Liquor Plus, and Rosie's Holiday Inn (spirit prices only).

The survey took place April 27-28, 2009 and reviewed regular retail prices only. The findings do not reflect any limited time/quantity sale pricing. Results can be downloaded at www.bcgeu.ca

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Media, please contact Teresa Marshall, BCGEU communications 604-473-5454 or 604-313-6103.

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