Sales of spirits up 7.5% statewide

By KVAL News Published: Oct 19, 2012 at 3:26 PM PDT
Sales of spirits up 7.5% statewide
Bottles of liquor are shown on shelves at a state-run liquor store, Wednesday, March 7, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Liquor sales across the state are up 7.5% compared to this same time last year.

The increase was recorded for the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July 2012 – June 2013) as compared to the first quarter of the last fiscal year (July 2011 - June 2012).

This increase could bring in nearly $408 million for state, city and county distribution over a two-year period (July 2011- June 2013). The compared to $350 million last biennium (July 2009 – June 2011).  

State revenue generated in liquor sales helps fund local programs in education, health care, police and fire.

More statistics:

  • Sales for July 2012 are up 5% compared to July 2011
  • Sales for Aug. 2012 are up 14% compared to Aug. 2011
  • Sales for Sept. 2012 are up 4% compared to Sept. 2011

Steve Pharo, Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission said that these numbers are indicative of two sales trends.

“From the sales statistics, we can see that customers aren’t necessarily buying more alcohol, but they are purchasing more expensive and specialty products,” said Pharo. “What we’re hearing from liquor store owners is that shoppers enjoy the low prices and wide selection that Oregon has to offer."

OLCC officials said that they stock a large variety of items each day in their Portland location. They said that customers searching for a particular drink can visit their website to see if it is available. 

From the OLCC:

In the last two years, the OLCC has distributed more than $370 million to Oregon's General Fund, Cities, Counties, and Drug/Alcohol Abuse Programs. This money helps fund essential services such as schools, police and health care for Oregonians. See the distribution of dollars on OLCC's Website.