Menu
Log in

kansas association of beverage retailers

Log in

News

News of interest to Kansas retailers.  You must log in to submit comments.   
  • Thursday, March 12, 2020 1:33 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Senate Federal and State Affairs adopted amendments to SB 456, changing the adjusted sales time for beer wine and spirits on Sundays to "no earlier than 10 a.m.", amending the language in current law regarding local ordinances and elections, and removing summer holidays from the local ordinance process.

    Parties who testified on the bill including KABR, KARLL, the Kansas League of Municipalities, Division of ABC, and the convenience stores group negotiated amendments since the public hearing a week ago.

    The first amendment allows local option to extend earlier Sunday sales hours to liquor stores and CMB retailers (grocery and convenience stores) to begin no earlier than 10:00 a.m. The initial bill allowed for 9 a.m. and had elicited concerns about uniformity.

    • Earlier Sunday hours were requested by liquor stores and CMB retailers – the issue mostly comes up to be able to serve customers before noon football games and those who are heading to lunch gatherings, family picnics, etc.  It is a particular issue for those stores within driving distance to the Missouri border.  (Missouri passed earlier hours immediately when Kansas passed Sunday sales.)
    • Continues to provide for local option ordinances or elections to enact Sunday sales.
    • Revisor believes the amendment continues to provide for a uniform Liquor Control Act by allowing the same process for all cities/counties.
    • The ABC had suggested doing away with the local ordinances and making all days the same – 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the option for shorter hours, but the parties agreed not to go that far.  Several legislators were not supportive.  

    Another amendment deletes references to summer holidays - Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. 

    The KABR requested this amendment to fix a problem for liquor store owners who are supposed to close on Saturday, July 4th 2020 while their competition - grocery stores and convenience stores - are selling beer.  Expecting a store to be closed on July 4th this year will cost that owner significant business.

    WHY?  

    Current law requires cities to choose to pass an ordinance FOR Sunday sales and summer holiday sales for liquor store retailers and CMB retailers (grocery stores and convenience stores).

    If they choose to NOT allow Sunday sales, they are supposed to pass an ordinance to prohibit CMB retailers from selling on those summer holidays. This was part of the original Sunday sales law but it does not seem to be happening.  This is not fair.

    Passing this amendment assures that these summer holidays are equally available to liquor store retailers and CMB retailers.

    NO CHANGE FOR MOST CITIES:  Most cities have passed the Sunday sales ordinance and allow summer holiday sales plus Sunday sales for both liquor store retailers and CMB retailers and are not affected by this amendment.

    YES TO LOCAL OPTION FOR SUNDAY SALES:  Cities will continue to choose whether or not to allow Sunday sales by local option (with the new optional 10:00 am time).  The summer holidays are removed from that process.

    EQUAL DAYS OF SALE FOR BOTH LIQUOR STORES AND CMB RETAILERS (Grocery and Convenience Stores) although the grocery and convenience stores will continue to operate with longer daily hours.

    COMPLY WITH THE BEER COMPROMISE?  Participants have assured that hours of sale are not an issue of concern - especially as the amendment does not add days or hours for liquor stores that would be more than what the CMB retailers are already allowed.


  • Tuesday, March 03, 2020 1:25 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SB 456 as introduced would allow earlier operating hours on Sundays for the sale of liquor, wine and beer in liquor stores.  The bill was requested by the Kansas Association for Responsible Liquor Laws.  The bill changes current law to allow for sales beginning at 9 a.m. on Sundays in those areas where Sunday sales have been approved by local ordinance or election.  

    KABR is interacting with a number of other organizations to talk about amending the bill.  

  • Friday, February 28, 2020 11:40 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

     LINK TO BARC 2020        AUSTIN, TEXAS -- June 8-10, 2020

    NOW IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference is the only national event that provides off-premise retailers the opportunity to gather together, network with colleagues and share best practices to improve their businesses. KABR members can register at a $200 discount using promo code BARCPARTNER.  If you intend to take advantage of this deal, please be sure your KABR membership is current.  

    Join the Beverage Dynamics team and retailers from across the country in Austin, Texas, June 8-10 for another education-first BARC. The track sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations provide valuable educational material, which will make leaving your store for a few days worthwhile.  

    Top 100 Retailers

    In 2020, Beverage Dynamics will once again recognize retailers from throughout the country who demonstrate innovation, excellent customer service and superior beverage alcohol industry knowledge. Will your store make the list?

    Nominations for the 2020 Top 100 Retailers awards are now open!

    Retailer Entry Forms (for retailer use).

    Nominate Someone Else (industry member use).

    Winners will be honored at the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference in Austin, and featured in the July/August 2020 issue of Beverage Dynamics.

                                                          

    Contacts: 

     Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425   Email President          

     Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617   Email Lobbyist


  • Monday, February 24, 2020 1:56 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SB 221 was introduced last year at the request of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association to expand growler sales to restaurants (clubs and drinking establishment licensees).  The Kansas Senate has passed the bill, and it now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

    KABR requested an amendment to include retail liquor stores, and the bill was passed as amended by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.  

    See the Legislation AT THIS LINK.

    If passed by the Senate, the bill must go to the House of Representatives for further action.

    Kansas liquor stores are eager to find options to attract and retain customers following the implementation of the Beer Law last April, that shifted a large portion of beer sales to grocery and convenience stores.  There are 26 fewer liquor stores licensed today than in 2017 – the year the Beer Law was passed by the Legislature. 

    What are we talking about?  Growlers are refillable containers used for beer.  Most often, these are made from dark brown glass and are 64oz.  They resemble a larger bottle or jug. The smaller 32oz versions are called howlers.  Sold only at Kansas microbreweries today, you’ll find these at breweries with their logo on them.  They have metal screw lids and are quite simple in appearance and function.  In addition to glass, there are growlers made from stainless steel and other materials that keep the beer cold and fresh longer.  Crowlers are quite a bit different but accomplish the same goal.  They are 32oz cans that can be filled and sealed onsite.  Just like a normal sized can; once opened, it can’t be resealed so it should be consumed immediately.

    We believe that selling these products in retail liquor stores could be a benefit to our customers and craft brewers, as well as our small businesses. 

    Another amendment added by the Committee will help to avoid unintended consequences.  Our members expressed concerns about legislation that might provide late night drinkers with a “to go” option just before closing time at the local watering hole.  We do not want to see this become a literal option for “one more for the road”.  The amendment will limit sales to 11 p.m. – as recommended by the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Control.


  • Sunday, October 06, 2019 7:52 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers presented the 2019 Industry Leader of the Year Award to Debbi Beavers, Director, Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control at the KABR Annual Conference.  Kansas retailers appreciate the Director's responsiveness and collaborative service and leadership in 2019 and prior years.  (Pictured Director Debbi Beavers, right, and Amy Campbell, KABR Executive Director, left,)


  • Thursday, October 03, 2019 5:05 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    3x3 is committed to making your liquor store smarter; And, as a KABR member, you can sign up for free!

    To claim your free membership and learn more about how 3x3 can help you grow  your bottom line, please attend our special CEO presentation at the annual KABR meeting Saturday, October 5, 2019.

    We deliver critical insights to independent retailers through DataBar™, our easy-to-use dashboard, which goes beyond the capabilities of any POS system to help you:

    • Run more successful promotions
    • Drive bigger baskets and higher sales
    • Better understand trends in your local market
    • Earn new and loyal customers

    Interested in speaking with a 3x3 team member at the event? Make sure to click the link to schedule a time to chat with our Director of Retail Partnerships, Emily Newton. 

     Schedule A Time To Chat 

    See you all this weekend!

    Sincerely, 

    The 3x3 Insights Team

    Emily Newton

    Director of Retail Partnerships

    c - (401) 862-8424

    o - (646) 442-5829


  • Monday, September 30, 2019 5:31 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers has partnered with Heartland & Patrick Schreiner to offer you a full suite of business solutions to help your business provide impressive service and establish strong connections with customers.  This decision was based on Patrick’s long history with the industry – more than 18 years in Kansas - and strong reputation for personal service.  Heartland & Patrick support locally owned businesses, and understand your needs and concerns.

    • Convenient, fast, cost effective & customized to your needs payment processing 
    • Payroll and HR 
    • Valuable customer engagement tools
    • Gift & loyalty card programs
    • POS integration - Cheers, EZSpirits, Cloud Retailer, Liquor POS, PC America and many more
    • Helpful analytics 
    • Lending
    • Local partners 

    To learn how Heartland Payment Systems & Patrick can help your business grow and thrive, call 913-748-1414 or e-mail patrick.schreiner@e-hps.com today.  In addition to working for your Kansas business, the Heartland partnership will provide support to the Association and its member programs and advocacy.


  • Thursday, September 19, 2019 8:35 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Since the Beer Law became effective April 1, we have been watching the numbers to see what they can tell us. The Division of ABC reports the number of liquor store licenses have gone down from 748 in January 2019 to 727 in September 2019.  This is a downward trend that started two years ago when the law was passed.  There were 761 licensed liquor stores in 2017. Tax data is not as straightforward.  A report of enforcement tax receipts by county seems to show that liquor store sales are down when comparing June and July 2019 to June and July 2018.  However, different numbers were reported at the Legislative Budget Committee meeting.  We are pursuing answers from the Department of Revenue and will continue to monitor this data.  KABR members will be updated as new information becomes available.

    Violations of the Liquor Control Act and the Cereal Malt Beverage Act can be reported directly to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control through the website https://www.ksrevenue.org/abcindex.html We are aware of numerous instances of pricing violations addressed by the agency.


  • Tuesday, September 03, 2019 8:38 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    By now, you have already received information about the annual conference in your inbox – but if you are a little behind with your email, you should check out the enclosed flyer!  You won’t find a more convenient and affordable opportunity for off-premise retailers to gather together, network with colleagues and share best practices to improve their businesses.  In one day, you can get employee training, business education, and get your questions answered by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).  This is also your opportunity to hear from state legislators about what is happening at the State Legislature and add your voice to decisions being made about future law changes. 

    See more at www.kansasretailer.org or register now at https://kaobr.wildapricot.org/event-3546881  


  • Monday, July 01, 2019 7:42 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Supreme Court struck down the Tennessee 2-Year residency requirement applicable to retail liquor store license applicants.  They held that it violates the Commerce Clause and is not saved by the 21st Amendment.  The ruling states that “protectionism” is not a legitimate state interest to allow skirting the nondiscrimination requirement of the Commerce Clause.  And so – we now know that this court does not consider the 21st Amendment enough to protect all state liquor laws.  This means that the Kansas residency law is at risk and we will have to be prepared for action during the 2020 Legislative Session.  Additionally, it could open the door to challenges by out of state retailers who want to be able to ship into states that allow in state retailers to ship product.  

    The good news is that the decision cites examples of other kinds of state laws that can be used for the purposes of meaningful liquor regulation without discrimination, such as limiting both the number of retail licenses and the amount of alcohol that may be sold to an individual, mandating more extensive training for managers and employees, or monitoring retailer practices and taking action against those who violate the law. 


Call Us:  785-969-1617

Email

Address:
P.O. Box 3842
Topeka | Kansas 66604-0842

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software