Oklahoma liquor store data hurts sales-restriction arguments
Recently, there’s been a push to overhaul Oklahoma’s liquor laws and allow grocery stores and similar outlets to sell wine or strong beer. So far, sellers benefitting from current restrictions have won the day; state regulations have remained intact.
Recent trends suggest many entrepreneurs expect little change in future years.
The number of liquor stores in Oklahoma has reached 666, the highest total in decades. In 2001, there were just 538. Some have suggested wine sales in grocery stores would increase underage drinking, but it would seem the growth of liquor stores would have the same potential impact.
From a free-market perspective, the increased number of outlets should boost competition and keep consumer prices lower, benefiting consumers. But allowing grocery stores to sell wine would do the same.
As a result, the growth of liquor stores is actually undermining arguments for the sales restrictions that benefit them.
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Not sure I follow your logic… First, because of population growth the per capita growth of liquor outlets over the past decade has not been as great as the absolute numbers suggest. Second, I think the classic supply vs. demand argument flies in the face of consumer behavior in this instance. Convenience trumps price. If Joe Cabernet can get his bottle of wine at Walmart while he’s already there buying macaroni and cheese, he will, even if it’s slightly MORE expensive, because it saves him a trip to the liquor store. It’s like gasoline… Yeah, it might be a few cents a gallon cheaper across town, but what’s it cost you to go get it? Liquor store owners know that, and that’s why they fight liberalization of Oklahoma’s liquor laws. And I’m not even going to touch the ‘high-point’ beer deal. I once had a major brewery brewmaster tell me they brew for taste, not alcohol content, and the only difference between ‘low’- and ‘high’-point beer is what’s printed on the can to satisfy regulators.