Myth:
The sale of wine in retail food stores will make more alcohol available to minors, expose minors to more alcohol, and lead to more underage drinking.
Fact:
- According to a recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, high school students are almost three times more likely to drink beer and liquor than they are to drink wine.
- The state executive director of MADD, in response to a reporter’s question, expressed no objections to the legislation.
- Tennessee’s Responsible Vendor law requires retail food stores to “card” beer buyers regardless of age. The same practice will apply to wine in retail food stores.
Myth:
The sale of wine in retail stores will place burdens and costs on wholesalers to deliver to more locations.
Fact:
Wholesalers will enjoy increased revenues from the sale of wine in retail food stores to offset the expenses of increased distribution. Consumers will benefit from more choice and convenience.
Myth:
State government will have to spend more money to license and monitor the additional locations.
Fact:
The increased revenue from wine licenses will more than offset any additional administrative costs.
Myth:
Grocery stores will have a much greater advantage on pricing because liquor stores cannot franchise.
Fact:
Liquor and wine wholesalers already have both brand and geographic markets established by state law under the three-tier system. Retail food stores would not be able to negotiate with one wholesaler versus another or arrange direct purchases from wineries.
