Let beer be sold in Sask. convenience stores, group urges

Beer and wine should be soldin Saskatchewan convenience stores, an industry group is telling the provincial government.

The Western Convenience Stores Association is making the recommendation in its submission to the province's liquor retailing review.

We believe the modernization of liquor retailing in Saskatchewan is long overdue, association presidentAndrewKlukassaid in a news release.

The province is saying a wide range of possibilities is on the table everything from the statusquoto Alberta-style privatization of all 75 government liquor stores.

• Sask. will look at Alberta-style liquor store privatization

In Regina, Saskatoon and other cities, beer and wine are sold in liquor stores and hotel off-sale outlets.

Saskatchewan residents should be allowed to purchase beer and wine in properly licensed neighbourhood stores, the group says.

The association also says thatalcohol sales through privately owned, neighbourhood stores are not new to Saskatchewan 190 franchisee stores in smaller communities are already doing so.

The licensing process for convenience storescould include restrictions onminimum pricing, hours of sale, and promotional and marketing activities, it adds.

The province is expected to make some decisions on possiblechanges to liquor retailing later this year.

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