Malt- and wine- based RTDs sold at 18 times as many retailers as spirits-based RTDs in state
Today, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) testified in favor of legislation to allow the sale of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails from state stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, beer distributors and local bars. All of these outlets currently sell beverage alcohol including malt- and wine-based RTDs.
“Ready-to-drink cocktails saw a huge increase in 2020 and show no signs of slowing down,” said David Wojnar, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President and Head of State Public Policy. “Allowing spirits-based RTDs to be sold at additional retail outlets like grocery and convenience stores will increase consumer convenience and provide additional tax revenue to the state. Right now, these products are restricted to PLCB stores and simply aren’t widely accessible in Pennsylvania which inconveniences consumers by forcing them to make a special trip for their spirits-based canned cocktails. That’s completely unjustified and unfair to consumers.”
Malt- and wine-based RTDs are permitted to be sold at 18 times as many retail outlets in the state as spirits-based RTDs. In Pennsylvania there are 0.6 spirits outlets per 10,000 people – well below the national average of 3.4 outlets per 10,000 people.