NEW DIVISIONAL ORDER ON GROCERY STORE INVENTORY

On March 31, 2010 the Members of the State Liquor Authority voted to rescind Divisional Order #780 governing inventory for grocery stores and replace it with Divisional Order #826. The new order mandates that grocery stores licensed to sell beer devote at least 50% of the public floor space to “consumer commodities.” The prior standard under Divisional Order #780 mandated that the dollar value of total display be at least 50% food and food products. The new definition provides grocery and convenience stores with the flexibility to adjust their inventory to meet their customer’s needs. Divisional Order #826 becomes effective immediately.