An NSLC signature location in Bridgewater, NS. Photo: Evan Taylor
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is once again selling U.S.-made alcohol at its retail locations — but only on a temporary basis — with the province directing profits toward food insecurity programs.
NSLC spokesperson Terah McKinnon says the return of U.S. products drew immediate interest from customers.
“Our first selling day last Monday was a little busier than a normal Monday,” McKinnon said. “We had stories of shoppers lining up outside waiting for us to open, and people purchasing more than their normal amount to pick up products they had been waiting for.”
According to McKinnon, bourbon quickly rose to the top as the most sought-after category.
“Maker’s Mark and Bulleit bourbon were the top two selling products that day,” she said. “Products that are more custom to the U.S. were definitely what shoppers were looking for.”
While U.S. products are back in stores for now, McKinnon confirmed the NSLC will not be importing any additional American-made alcohol.
“Our plan is to sell through our existing U.S. products that we already have,” she said. “We certainly will not be importing any new U.S. products at this time, but we are making what remains available to shoppers.”
She added that supplier relationships remain in place should policy decisions change in the future.
“We have conversations with suppliers all the time. Those relationships still exist,” McKinnon said.
During the months U.S. alcohol was unavailable, McKinnon says Nova Scotia-made products saw noticeable gains.
“We definitely saw an increase in local product sales, especially in the spirit and wine categories,” she said. “The absence of U.S. products did reflect in local sales.”
The NSLC removed nearly 600 U.S. product lines from shelves when the original decision was implemented.
“We had to remove close to 600 units off our shelves, but our team worked efficiently and made that happen,” McKinnon said.
The province estimates it is selling roughly $14 million worth of remaining U.S. inventory. Once costs are accounted for, about $4 million in net profit is expected to be returned and donated.
Premier Tim Houston has said those proceeds will go to Feed Nova Scotia and other community food access groups.
“We will not be ordering any more from the United States once this inventory is gone,” Houston said in a provincial release. “But Nova Scotians have already paid for this product. We don’t want it to go to waste.”
Meanwhile, other provinces have followed suit, including P.E.I, who raked in $600,000 for food banks across the island.
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