This could open up a huge trade buyer base for B2B if goes ahead.

A renewed push for convenience stores to sell alcohol

01 April, 2021 by Brydie Allen

The new CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), Theo Foukkare, has outlined his focuses for the year, one of which is the fight for convenience stores and petrol stations to be able to stock packaged alcoholic products.

Foukkare said the current legislation that does not allow convenience stores to sell alcohol is based on “old and outdated thinking” and is restricting the opportunity of a multitude of small businesses in Australia, especially after the hardships of 2020. COVID restrictions and the resulting changed consumer behaviour of last year have added to significant challenges faced in the convenience industry in recent years, including rising costs driven by tobacco excise increases and high award wages of the convenience and petroleum channel.

“All of the changes in market dynamics have made it really tough for small business,” Foukkare told National Liquor News.

“Based on the US experience in the petrol and convenience channel, we believe that there is a $900 million sales opportunity for small business in the petrol and convenience channels specifically. That is the equivalent to the energy drink category within total beverages across the convenience channel, so it would be a very significant opportunity that would enable our members to stay relevant. This forecast excludes the associated purchases that will come along with that.”

Full article here: https://www.theshout.com.au/national-liquor-news/a-renewed-push-for-convenience-stores-to-sell-alcohol/