NSLC To Improve Service To Under-served Communities
N.S. LIQUOR CORP.--NSLC To Improve Service To Under-served Communities
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) is expanding the number of its agency stores to improve service to smaller communities throughout the province. A request for proposal will be issued Wednesday, Nov. 10, to determine interest in these new distribution outlets.
"The NSLC is constantly examining how well our retail network is serving all communities in the distribution and sale of beverage alcohol," said Ken Barbet, president and CEO, NSLC. "There are still a number of places where customers are forced to drive long distances in order to pick up a case of beer, bottle of wine or spirits, yet which can't support a full-size NSLC store. Agency stores have proven to be a very effective solution."
The NSLC established its first eight agency stores in 2001. Agency stores are local businesses that are licensed to sell beverage alcohol in addition to their normal product mix. Most are convenience stores which have a designated area to sell at least 50 selections of wine and spirits and at least 12 domestic and imported beer selections. They are located in smaller communities and have projected beverage alcohol sales of less then one million dollars.
"The eight original agency stores have proven to be a successful and cost-effective way of selling beverage alcohol in under- served communities," said Mr. Barbet. " These new agency stores will offer additional distribution outlets to our network -- they do not replace any existing stores or staff."
The NSLC will award up to an additional 23 agency stores as a result of this request for proposal. Responses will be accepted from the areas surrounding the listed communities: -- Peggys Cove/Dover, Sambro and Lake Charlotte/Ship Harbour, Halifax Co.; -- Margaree and Mabou, Inverness Co.; -- Carleton, Yarmouth Co.; -- St. Margaret Village, Victoria Co.; -- Marion Bridge and Big Pond, Cape Breton Co.; -- Upper Stewiacke, Colchester Co.; -- Petite Riviere, Lunenburg Co.; -- Monastery, Antigonish Co.; -- Mount Uniacke, Hants Co.; -- Port Joli (dry) and Ohio area (dry), Shelburne Co.; -- Goldboro and Ecum Secum/Liscomb, Guysborough Co.; -- Cambridge area (dry), Kings Co.; -- Maitland area (dry), Hants Co.; -- Lismore/Airsaig, Pictou/Antigonish counties -- Little Harbour, Pictou Co.; -- Tidnish (dry), Cumberland Co. -- Greenfield, Queens Co.
Some of the identified communities are currently "dry areas," prohibited from selling beverage alcohol. The NSLC will consider applications through this request for proposal in case any of those communities decide to change their status. This was also the case with three of the communities where the original eight agency stores are located.
Businesses that respond must be able to provide separate sales records for the beverage alcohol section and about 200 square feet of space in a retail store. Responses to the request for proposal must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Public Tenders Office. The response will be analyzed, according to the criteria outlined in the request for proposal, and awarded by certified mail.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation provides world class selection and service of beverage alcohol through the operation of 104 retail and eight agency stores throughout the province. By providing superior customer convenience and service, the NSLC returns substantial revenue to the provincial government while ensuring the responsible enjoyment of beverage alcohol in Nova Scotia.