It is comments like JBC’s(buy liquor out of state) why excise tax revenues are down in CT. In the end, we all pay higher taxes to compensate(such increased income taxes). Hey JBC do you pay use tax on your out of state liquor purchases?
Sunday sales in any store is what ruined the American Family of today. As humans we all want convience but, it comes at a cost. Connecticut should lead by example repeal the blue laws hault all Sunday Sales in all stores! Put the American Family back together regroup be strong stop out sourcing jobs and industry to other countries. Shorten all store hours, save energy by doing so, when this is done people stock up, making more revenue for the state. Fill up state parks on Sundays play ball with your family, friends, and relitives. Little league and school sports are for other days, Sunday is a day for family and rest, your week will be so much better! As an owner of a liquior store I will NEVER open on sundays!! I value time spent with family and friends try it you will be glad you did! Stay home one Sunday give your credit card a rest too! How many people in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s had credit card debt?
1) There will be no increase in sales tax because there will be no increase in sales. That is because there will be no increase in alcohol consumption. Unlike other products, more availability to purchase alcohol does not mean people will consume more. People will only drink more if they have more occasions to drink, such as parties, sporting events, meals, etc. That’s how this business works. I did not see anyone indicate they would be drinking more because stores were open on Sunday – just that they wanted to be able to shop on Sunday. How would spreading 6 days of sales over 7 days help increase tax revenue? It won’t.
2) It should also be pointed out that the supposed increases from other states were small and most important sketchy at best – not anything anyone should rely on. Government projections are frequently incorrect because they are not prepared by those with industry experience. I would absolutely not rely on any numbers unless they are provided by those who understand the retail business – namely retailers.
3) Another point made is that retailers would have the option to stay closed on Sunday. Don’t mean to be harsh, but that is just naive. Of course you’ll have to open – otherwise 1/6th of your business will go somewhere else, like the supermarkets that are already open and won’t have to increase their overhead. And that is why the smaller stores will close. They don’t have the ability to lose that volume. If you like shopping at your convenient, friendly, local (and likely family-owned) liquor store, you should not be supporting Sunday Sales
4) One POV is that we need to open CT stores on Sunday because stores on the border are losing business to neighboring states. But as JBC commented above, neighboring states have lower prices on some items and people are going to shop there as a result – no matter what day it is. Opening on Sunday is not going to change that. In my store, I have customers who come to shop from NY because my prices are better on some items. NY retailers are already open on Sunday. That is not stopping New Yorkers from coming to my store
5) Look at who is supporting Sunday sales. Large supermarket chains and large alcohol beverage suppliers. Interests that are not concerned about CT. Who is opposing Sunday sales? CT retailers and others who actually have a stake in what happens here
6) Here is the most important point: the overwhelming majority of CT retailers OPPOSE Sunday sales. Why is that? Because it won’t increase our business. It would absolutely be an inconvenience to open on Sunday. But, CT retailers, like any other retailers, would do it if there was money to be made. At the end of the day, we’re businesspeople and our goal is to make a profit. Sunday sales will absolutely not do that and will not increase tax revenue. Instead, it will close CT businesses and put people out of the job.
To Ridgefield Retailer…You are dead wrong about sales. At minimum, the state will see $5 million in new sales and excise taxes…this is based on the Legislature’s own analysis and the results in other states that have passed Sunday sales. The reason this doesn’t pass is because we have one of the worse legislatures in the country with NO leadership…and unfortunately, the closest thing we have to a leader is the Governor and he is too busy raising our taxes.
To Ridgefield Retailer: I travel to Massachusetts once a month on business and I always stop in MA and buy liquor for the month. MA has reduced their alcohol taxes; stores in MA are open on Sunday; and MA stores generally have a MUCH better selection of craft beers, wine and liquor. (Distributors are not interested in CT because of its archaic laws and draconian taxes on alcohol. One of my fav breweries, Great Divide, just pulled out of CT, btw). Sure, I will run out and buy something occasionally here in CT, but money is tight and I’d rather travel for a better selection and lower prices. I have done this every month, for three years, ever since moving to CT, and will continue to do so. I usually take pride in buying local, but I will continue to spend my money in other states as long as retailers like you continue to spew such complete nonsense and fabrications about Sunday liquor sales.
I don’t understand the logic behind the comment that Sunday sales will drive small package stores out of business. If such a store is not open on Sunday, and I’m hard up to make a liquor purchase on Sunday, sure I’ll go somewhere else. But the other 6 days a week I’ll return to that store because it’s convenient and I know the people there best. The other argument is that to stay competitive, they will be forced to stay open on Sunday and incur costs that aren’t covered by sales on that day. Well, that’s a business decision they need to make – nobody’s forcing them to remain open on Sunday, and if they are losing money by staying open, then they shouldn’t be.
Connecticut citizens are tired of this protectionist package store racket, get with the 21st century and allow consumers to buy on Sundays. We’re the laughing stock of this country and valuable tax dollars fill up the coffers of NY and Mass. The excuses given by lawmakers for not getting this done is absurd. Get it passed already.
To Ridgefield: If the retailers are unable to compete in a 7-days-a-week market, then some will close, yes. However, Connecticut also has the largest volume of liquor stores per capita in the US. Why should consumers continue to be inconvenienced by this protectionist law that has no rational basis and supports no broader governmental goal?
I thought business liked when government got off their backs. Isn’t a forced closure about the most intrusive thing the government could do?
The reason this bill is currently dead, and will hopefully stay that way, is that smart CT lawmakers realize Sunday sales will do nothing for our state except put small stores out of business and their employees out of the job. Everyone knows when the stores are open and they shop accordingly. No one will drink more – and as a result buy more – because stores are open on Sunday. These tax revenue projections are complete nonsense. Let’s not beat around the bush: DISCUS and their affiliated suppliers only want Sunday sales as the first step for wine and spirit sales in supermarkets. That way they can push out the independent stores/CT wholesalers and take that margin for themselves. Why else would they care if a bottle of scotch is sold in CT vs. MASS or NY? This is solely about finding a longer term way to increase their profits at Connecticut’s expense.
It is comments like JBC’s(buy liquor out of state) why excise tax revenues are down in CT. In the end, we all pay higher taxes to compensate(such increased income taxes). Hey JBC do you pay use tax on your out of state liquor purchases?
Sunday sales in any store is what ruined the American Family of today. As humans we all want convience but, it comes at a cost. Connecticut should lead by example repeal the blue laws hault all Sunday Sales in all stores! Put the American Family back together regroup be strong stop out sourcing jobs and industry to other countries. Shorten all store hours, save energy by doing so, when this is done people stock up, making more revenue for the state. Fill up state parks on Sundays play ball with your family, friends, and relitives. Little league and school sports are for other days, Sunday is a day for family and rest, your week will be so much better! As an owner of a liquior store I will NEVER open on sundays!! I value time spent with family and friends try it you will be glad you did! Stay home one Sunday give your credit card a rest too! How many people in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s had credit card debt?
Let me address a few points made here:
1) There will be no increase in sales tax because there will be no increase in sales. That is because there will be no increase in alcohol consumption. Unlike other products, more availability to purchase alcohol does not mean people will consume more. People will only drink more if they have more occasions to drink, such as parties, sporting events, meals, etc. That’s how this business works. I did not see anyone indicate they would be drinking more because stores were open on Sunday – just that they wanted to be able to shop on Sunday. How would spreading 6 days of sales over 7 days help increase tax revenue? It won’t.
2) It should also be pointed out that the supposed increases from other states were small and most important sketchy at best – not anything anyone should rely on. Government projections are frequently incorrect because they are not prepared by those with industry experience. I would absolutely not rely on any numbers unless they are provided by those who understand the retail business – namely retailers.
3) Another point made is that retailers would have the option to stay closed on Sunday. Don’t mean to be harsh, but that is just naive. Of course you’ll have to open – otherwise 1/6th of your business will go somewhere else, like the supermarkets that are already open and won’t have to increase their overhead. And that is why the smaller stores will close. They don’t have the ability to lose that volume. If you like shopping at your convenient, friendly, local (and likely family-owned) liquor store, you should not be supporting Sunday Sales
4) One POV is that we need to open CT stores on Sunday because stores on the border are losing business to neighboring states. But as JBC commented above, neighboring states have lower prices on some items and people are going to shop there as a result – no matter what day it is. Opening on Sunday is not going to change that. In my store, I have customers who come to shop from NY because my prices are better on some items. NY retailers are already open on Sunday. That is not stopping New Yorkers from coming to my store
5) Look at who is supporting Sunday sales. Large supermarket chains and large alcohol beverage suppliers. Interests that are not concerned about CT. Who is opposing Sunday sales? CT retailers and others who actually have a stake in what happens here
6) Here is the most important point: the overwhelming majority of CT retailers OPPOSE Sunday sales. Why is that? Because it won’t increase our business. It would absolutely be an inconvenience to open on Sunday. But, CT retailers, like any other retailers, would do it if there was money to be made. At the end of the day, we’re businesspeople and our goal is to make a profit. Sunday sales will absolutely not do that and will not increase tax revenue. Instead, it will close CT businesses and put people out of the job.
To Ridgefield Retailer…You are dead wrong about sales. At minimum, the state will see $5 million in new sales and excise taxes…this is based on the Legislature’s own analysis and the results in other states that have passed Sunday sales. The reason this doesn’t pass is because we have one of the worse legislatures in the country with NO leadership…and unfortunately, the closest thing we have to a leader is the Governor and he is too busy raising our taxes.
To Ridgefield Retailer: I travel to Massachusetts once a month on business and I always stop in MA and buy liquor for the month. MA has reduced their alcohol taxes; stores in MA are open on Sunday; and MA stores generally have a MUCH better selection of craft beers, wine and liquor. (Distributors are not interested in CT because of its archaic laws and draconian taxes on alcohol. One of my fav breweries, Great Divide, just pulled out of CT, btw). Sure, I will run out and buy something occasionally here in CT, but money is tight and I’d rather travel for a better selection and lower prices. I have done this every month, for three years, ever since moving to CT, and will continue to do so. I usually take pride in buying local, but I will continue to spend my money in other states as long as retailers like you continue to spew such complete nonsense and fabrications about Sunday liquor sales.
I don’t understand the logic behind the comment that Sunday sales will drive small package stores out of business. If such a store is not open on Sunday, and I’m hard up to make a liquor purchase on Sunday, sure I’ll go somewhere else. But the other 6 days a week I’ll return to that store because it’s convenient and I know the people there best. The other argument is that to stay competitive, they will be forced to stay open on Sunday and incur costs that aren’t covered by sales on that day. Well, that’s a business decision they need to make – nobody’s forcing them to remain open on Sunday, and if they are losing money by staying open, then they shouldn’t be.
Raise tax and people will buy out of state,stores will go out of business.At least open Sunday and stay competitive.
Connecticut citizens are tired of this protectionist package store racket, get with the 21st century and allow consumers to buy on Sundays. We’re the laughing stock of this country and valuable tax dollars fill up the coffers of NY and Mass. The excuses given by lawmakers for not getting this done is absurd. Get it passed already.
To Ridgefield: If the retailers are unable to compete in a 7-days-a-week market, then some will close, yes. However, Connecticut also has the largest volume of liquor stores per capita in the US. Why should consumers continue to be inconvenienced by this protectionist law that has no rational basis and supports no broader governmental goal?
I thought business liked when government got off their backs. Isn’t a forced closure about the most intrusive thing the government could do?
The reason this bill is currently dead, and will hopefully stay that way, is that smart CT lawmakers realize Sunday sales will do nothing for our state except put small stores out of business and their employees out of the job. Everyone knows when the stores are open and they shop accordingly. No one will drink more – and as a result buy more – because stores are open on Sunday. These tax revenue projections are complete nonsense. Let’s not beat around the bush: DISCUS and their affiliated suppliers only want Sunday sales as the first step for wine and spirit sales in supermarkets. That way they can push out the independent stores/CT wholesalers and take that margin for themselves. Why else would they care if a bottle of scotch is sold in CT vs. MASS or NY? This is solely about finding a longer term way to increase their profits at Connecticut’s expense.