The New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) is launching an online petition to have the state of New York change its law that blocks convenience stores from selling spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, “even though we can already sell malt-based versions with the same alcohol content,” according to the petition.
Calling the law “outdated,” the petition said it confuses customers and drives them to other stores, cuts c-stores out of a $2.6 billion and growing market, and gives liquor stores an unfair monopoly on chilled, single-serve RTDs.
Faheem Jamal, director of c-store operations at New Paltz, New York-based Chestnut Market, which is a NYACS member, told CSP that a lot of consumers come to convenience stores “looking to buy brand-name products like High Noon and Surfside, and they’re not available in c-stores, and the consumers don’t understand why.”
Jamal said the reason is “solely because they’re spirit-based instead of a malt-based beverage. White Claw [malt] and a High Noon [spirits] are very similar—and a Surfside [spirits] and Twisted Tea [malt] are very similar, but it’s strictly the ingredients; it doesn’t make anybody more drunk than the other one. Some people look at it for health-conscious reasons, maybe they prefer to have a spirit base or have a malt base.”
He added that if people are having a party and want High Noon, White Claw and Bud Light, “They have to go to two different stores. It just doesn’t really make sense.”
Jamal said they plan on putting up signage in their stores. Store managers are aware of the law and the difference between the products, “but now it’s our time to work with our store managers and our customer service specialists to work with our customers coming every day and help make it easier for them to purchase the product directly at our stores.”
Jamal said NYACS tried to get the law changed a few years ago, adding, “It didn’t really gain much traction, so we’re really hoping that this works this time.”
“Your voice matters,” the petition reads. “Lawmakers listen to small businesses in their districts. If they hear from enough of us, they will act. Tell your legislators to vote YES on A6931B/S6703. With one click, you can help bring more customers into your store, increase your sales and margins, modernize New York’s alcohol laws.”
Founded in the early 1980s by the Jamal brothers—Mickey, Sal, Cal and Sam—the company has expanded to 75 locations across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. New Paltz, New York-based CPD Energy Corp. is a petroleum marketer distributing fuel to more than 250 sites in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Fuel brands include Exxon, Mobil, Shell, bp and Gulf.
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