Price Chopper Supports Push to Legalize Wine Sales in New York Grocery Stores
Price Chopper, owned by Northeast Grocery Inc., is publicly backing efforts to legalize wine sales in New York grocery stores.
At a Price Chopper in Warwick, New York, P2PI editors recently spotted in-aisle signage supporting the “New York State of Wine” campaign — an advocacy effort urging lawmakers to modernize the state’s alcohol laws. New York remains one of a minority of states that prohibit the sale of wine in grocery stores.
Shelf violators placed in unexpected aisles — including the cereal aisle — encourage shoppers to join the movement. The signage poses questions like “What pairs well with groceries? Wine.” and “Want to get it here?” followed by a call to action: “Tell New York … it’s time for wine in grocery stores.”
A QR code links to NewYorkStateofWine.org, which helps consumers contact their state legislators in support of the policy change.
Why Wine Isn’t on Grocery Store Shelves in New York
New York’s restriction on wine sales in grocery stores stems from post-Prohibition regulations that created a three-tier alcohol distribution system to control the sale and supply of alcoholic beverages.
Under current laws, only licensed liquor stores can sell wine and spirits for off-premises consumption. Grocery and drug stores are allowed to sell beer and select wine products, such as wine coolers, but not traditional wine.
Price Chopper stores in New York do sell beer options, but not wine. Mass merchants such as Target and Walmart are similarly restricted and cannot sell wine in their New York stores.
The New York State of Wine coalition comprises grocery retailers and organizations, including the New York Farm Bureau, that support legislation to permit wine sales in grocery outlets.
