B.C. private liquor stores face shortages and lost revenue as the BCGEU strike shuts down the provincial distribution system.
Supply Shortages Hit Private Retailers
Private liquor stores across British Columbia are feeling the impact of the ongoing BCGEU strike, which has effectively halted operations at the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB). Thousands of public service workers have been on strike for seven weeks, negotiating higher wages with the provincial government.
Sukh Randhawa, owner of Liquor 62 in Surrey, B.C., said deliveries have stopped, forcing his store to turn away customers and consider temporary layoffs. “Our supply is running critically low,” Randhawa said. “It’s unfortunate that we’ve been caught in the middle here.”
The government requires private retailers to purchase inventory exclusively from the LDB, leaving little alternative for sourcing products during the strike.
Broader Impact on B.C. Retailers
The strike’s effects extend beyond a single store. Bo Chen, executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE B.C.), noted that many private retailers have already reduced hours or laid off staff due to interrupted deliveries.
While some stores can purchase limited products directly from local producers, most inventory depends on government distribution centers. Chen explained, “Many local producers have products tied up in warehouses—it’s just sitting there gathering dust.”
Wholesalers Grapple with Halted Distribution
Vancouver-based ready-to-drink cocktail company Please! Beverage Co. is among the businesses hit hardest. Founder Noel Steen said wholesale operations have come to a standstill. “We can’t move product directly, and all the [government-run liquor stores] are closed and the LDB is closed,” he said. The tasting room has seen slight sales growth, but it is insufficient to offset wholesale losses.
Union and Government Return to Talks
The B.C. General Employee’s Union (BCGEU) has expressed a willingness to negotiate, aiming to minimize the strike’s effects on the public. Union president Paul Finch said, “Our hope is that the government would be willing to negotiate with a reasonable offer.”
Finance Minister Brenda Bailey confirmed the government’s focus remains on returning to the bargaining table, acknowledging the strike’s disruptions. “There’s no question that there is an impact from these valued government workers not being at work,” she said.
Some Businesses See Unexpected Opportunities
Not all companies are losing out. Richmond’s Deep Blue Distillery reported a surge in orders from private liquor retailers and hospitality venues. Co-founder Kyla Lee described a “hundred-fold increase” in demand.
Lee said the strike has introduced new customers to local products, potentially creating lasting relationships beyond the labor dispute. “Now they know we’re here, and they know you can buy locally made liquor, sometimes even cheaper than international brands,” she said.
The strike highlights a challenging balance for B.C.’s private liquor sector: supporting workers’ rights while managing operational disruptions that ripple across stores and producers.
