The State of Connecticut has issued important information regarding changes that can affect your business with the passing of Public Act 12-17.

NEW! Rules for Discounted Items

Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-68m, as amended by Public Act 12-17, allows the holder of a package store permit, grocery store beer permit, or druggist liquor permit to sell one beer item or one item of alcoholic liquor below cost each month, provided that item is not discounted more than 10%.

“Cost” for alcoholic liquor equals the posted bottle price from the wholesaler, plus any charge for shipping or delivery to the retailer’s place of business paid by the retailer. Most wholesalers include the delivery or shipping charge in the posted bottle price, but some do not. If you are unsure, consult with your wholesaler.

“Cost” for beer equals the lowest posted price during the month in which the retailer is selling, plus any charge for shipping or delivery to the retailer’s place of business paid by the retailer.  Most wholesalers include the delivery or shipping charge in the posted bottle price, but some may not.  If you are unsure, consult with your wholesaler.

Retailers who choose to discount one beer item or alcoholic liquor product must use the new DCP online electronic posting system, Liquor Monthly Discounted Items for Retailers.

If you are a permittee and need to create an account, and would like some assistance, please select this link for video instruction.

Follow the screen prompts to post your item. Post only one discounted price per month, after the 20th day of the preceding month and before the end of the 2nd day of the month in which the discounted price will be in effect.

Do not send postings of discounted items to the Department of Consumer Protection by regular mail or by facsimile as they will not be accepted. You must use the online posting system.

NEW! Package Stores May Conduct Wine Classes and Sell New Items Starting July 1

With the enactment of Public Act 12-17, the following commodities may also be offered for sale, in addition to what was previously allowed to be sold in package stores, effective July 1, 2012:

• Complementary fresh fruits used in the preparation of mixed alcoholic beverages;
• Cheese or crackers, or both;
• Olives

Common examples of complementary fresh fruits used in the preparation of mixed alcoholic beverages include, but are not limited to, lemons and limes. Package store permittess are encouraged to check with their local health official or sanitarian to see if there any additional permits or licenses needed before they expand into these sales.

Effective July 1, 2012, Sec. 30-20, Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by Public Act 12-17, also provides that package stores may conduct fee-based wine education and tasting classes at the store during the days and hours they are allowed to be open to sell alcoholic liquor.

NEW! Farmer’s Markets May Sell Connecticut Wine on Sundays

With the passage and signing of  Public Act 12-17, any permitted Connecticut farm winery that also holds a farmer’s market wine sales permit may now sell their wine on Sundays between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00pm, as long as the farmer’s market is open to the public during those times. These hours are dependent upon compliance with local ordinance.

NEW! Sunday Sales/Hours

Package stores may now be open on Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. It also allows for package stores to now be open on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day from 8:00am to 9:00pm. It also allows package stores to be open on the Mondays following any Independence Day, Christmas, or New Year’s Day which falls on a Sunday.

Grocery stores licensed to sell beer may now sell beer on Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Grocery stores may now sell beer from 8:00am to 9:00pm on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. The public act also allows grocery stores to sell beer on the Mondays following any Independence Day, Christmas, or New Year’s Day which falls on a Sunday.

Local ordinances may be more restrictive; package store permittees and grocery stores permittees should make contact with their respective towns to ensure that their town ordinances do not otherwise restrict or prohibit the sales on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, or have any other prohibitions or restrictions.

For more information visit: ct.gov/dcp