Minnesota has a system of alcohol regulation that separates manufacturing, distribution and sales.  Liquor stores in Minnesota can hold a full liquor license, while convenience and grocery stores can hold a 3.2 license--limiting the products that can be sold.  In many states--including those around us-- consumers have access to more products where they buy their food, but not Minnesota.  By law consumers aren't allowed the convenience of picking up a bottle of wine or full-strength beer when visiting their favorite store.

In short, a quick lesson in history traces Minnesota's 3.2 beer law all the way back to 1933 and prohibition.  While every other state modernized their laws to meet consumer demand and declining 3.2 product offerings, we sit and wait for the Legislature to act. And wait. And wait.

Retailers selling 3.2 products report a drastic reduction on options for customers as manufacturers cut back on production. One retailer has seen a 73 percent drop in 3.2 beer products over two years, going from 51 SKUs to only 14 today. Molson Coors became the latest producer to announce an elimination of 3.2 products last May and even fewer options are on the horizon. It shouldn't be a surprise. Why would manufacturers make 3.2 for just Minnesota? Even Utah dumped 3.2 in 2019 citing a lack of consumer demand and availability.

Yes!  We opened up Sunday sales a few years ago because consumers asked for it. The option to pick up a bottle of wine or full-strength beer when shopping is another common consumer request that just makes sense.

Consumers can buy just about anything online today, but they can't get the wine or beer they want at a grocery or convenience store? That makes no sense! 

According to a February poll, 64 percent of Minnesotans support modernizing Minnesota's liquor laws and the convenience of having full-strength beer and wine available at grocery and convenience stores. 

But, do your own research! Just ask a friend or neighbor if they would like the convenience of buying full-strength beer and wine where they buy groceries or gas.

Most convenience and grocery stores operate on slim profit margins—around 2 percent.  With the cost pressures and competition faced by retailers, a wine or beer purchase could be the difference between make or break. And even more important, customers are asking for the option to pick up a six pack of their favorite beer or a local wine when they shop.

Consumer purchases in other states show that people pick up a bottle of wine or a few bottles of beer at a grocery or convenience store, but they still visit their local liquor store for their regular alcohol purchases. There is opportunity for liquor stores alongside grocery and convenience stores like we see in other states.

And by the way, liquor stores are holding their own today. The latest State Auditor report on Minnesota municipal liquor stores showed a 25th consecutive year of record sales. (Click here for the report.)

Minnesota's craft breweries and wineries are creating jobs in our communities.  And food retailers represent a great opportunity for those entrepreneurs to get their local products in front of consumers in order to earn repeat purchases.  Our grocery and convenience stores are eager to sell local brews and wines to their customers!