Business
Liquor markup temporarily suspended for businesses
Published 12:56 PDT, Tue June 16, 2020
Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021
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Liquor licensees in BC can temporarily purchase products at a reduced cost.
This wholesale pricing model will provide much-needed financial support for businesses like restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences. It will be in place from the end of July 2020 until March 31, 2021, when the program will be reviewed.
“The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, badly hurting the more than 190,000 British Columbians who work within the sector,” said Attorney General David Eby. “Offering a wholesale discount for licensees was something we were exploring before COVID-19, but after the onset of the pandemic we accelerated efforts in order to support these community businesses as they try to find their feet.”
Hospitality licensees, including restaurants, bars and pubs currently pay full retail price—wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the Liquor Distribution Branch—on all liquor purchases. The new model will have licensees pay only the wholesale price of the products they order.
In addition to changes to the hospitality pricing model, work is underway by government on several other measures identified within a report created by the Business Technical Advisory Panel.
View the Business Technical Advisory Panel report here.