LCBO single-day sales hit record $51 million
Thirsty customers pushed the LCBO to a record $51 million in sales two days before Christmas, continuing a holiday tradition of Dec. 23 being the biggest booze-buying day of the year.
“With it being on a Friday this year I think a lot of people got off work early to start their Christmas weekend,” LCBO spokesman Chris Layton said Wednesday.
“If you don’t have any ideas,sacoche louis vuitton it’s popular last-minute shopping.”
The $51 million at the province’s 622 liquor stores marked an increase of $3 million from the then-record $48 million in sales on Dec. 23, 2010, which was up from $42.5 million in the same day in 2009 and $42 million in 2008.
The only bigger sales day, and an all-time record — which LCBO bean counters dub an “extraordinary” event — was June 23, 2009, in the countdown to a possible strike, when buyers decided to stock up on beer, wine and spirits to the tune of $55 million.
Sales figures tend to rise during the Christmas holidays not just because of sheer volume but because customers tend to splurge on more expensive bottles, such as high-end vodka instead of basic brands, said Layton.
“Typically we see people purchasing higher-quality products because they’re buying for gifts or for festive entertaining,” he added.
“At this time of year we sell a lot more sparkling wines, single malts and liqueurs which people might not buy as much the rest of the year.”
Liquor stores are also expected to be busy again this Friday and Saturday as customers pick up sparkling wines and other products for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Layton said.
Also this December, customers at the cash register donated a total of $2 million to MADD Canada and local children’s hospitals.
Last year, sales tallied $31.3 million on Dec. 31 at LCBO stores.
In the most recent fiscal year, the LCBO contributed $1.55 billion to provincial coffers — up $140 million, or 9.9 per cent, from the previous year, on record net sales of $4.55 billion.
Processing your request, Please wait....
