Misconception:
Legalizing Sunday liquor sales won’t increase sales and revenue.
Reality:
Stores will not lose sales, and Sunday sales will not split Saturday sales between the two days of the weekend. Evidence shows that increased opportunity for sales will likely lead to increased sales. When Colorado passed Sunday beer sales the increased revenue was credited with bringing liquor stores through tough economic conditions.
Jeanne McEvoy, President/CEO of the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, said that despite the tough economy, liquor store sales have been resilient and Sunday sales have been key to that success: Even in terrible economic conditions, Sunday alcohol sales have turned out to be a huge success for both retailers and the state treasury.”*
Misconception:
Retailers don’t want Minnesotans to buy beer, wine, and spirits on Sunday.
Reality:
Licensed beverage retailers like the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association count on lobbyists to make sure they get the legislative votes. They do not care about consumer interests, only legislative votes that protect their interests.
As in the Wine in Grocery debate, in the end it is all about legislative votes! It is not about perceived public opinion.*
Misconception:
Liquor stores don’t want to be open on Sundays
Reality:
Many liquor stores would love to sell you beer, wine, or liquor on Sundays. Powerful lobbyists that represent both on-sale and off-sale retailers work hard to maintain the Sunday monopoly on alcohol sales for on-sale retailers like bars and restaurants .
*Maloney, M.T. and Rudbeck, J.C. The outcome from legalizing Sunday packaged alcohol sales on traffic accidents in New Mexico. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2009, 41(5), 1094-1098. *Lovenheim, Michael F. and Steefel, Daniel P. Do Blue Laws Save Lives? The Effect of Sunday Alcohol Sales Bans on Fatal Vehicle Accidents. Cornell University, March 2011 *Colorado Department of Revenue *Nightclub & Bar, October 22, 2009 *MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE -Volume 71, Number 4, 2012 Of���cial publication of the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association.