Nova Scotia Liquor And Cannabis Sales Soar During Pandemic
HALIFAX – The latest sales numbers from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation suggest people have begun drinking more at home during the pandemic. According to NSLC’s third-quarter results, alcohol sales are up 11.7 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2019. In total, NSLC brought in a net total of $187.8-million during the third quarter.
“This growth was driven by customers purchasing from private wine and specialty stores, agency stores and NSLC stores due to pandemic restrictions at bars, pubs and restaurants,” reads a press release from NS Liquor.
Sales of alcohol products produced in Nova Scotia also saw dramatic increases during the quarter. “Ready to drink” beverages, like coolers, saw a whopping 74.2 percent increase, totaling $6.2 million. Other local products, listed below, also saw major increases-
NS spirits: 32.3 percent increase ($3.8-million)
NS wine: 22.7 percent increase ($4.4-million)
NS craft beer: 20.8 percent ($6.0-million)
The third-quarter results also suggest people are buying more legally obtained cannabis than ever before, with a 27 percent increase totaling $22.2-million. Of that amount, $4.5-million came from cannabis grown in Nova Scotia- an increase of 14.3 percent.
“The NSLC added six new cannabis stores to the network and the cannabis market is maturing, which has resulted in a 23% decrease in the average price per gram, to $7.58, and a stable supply of the larger package sizes customers are seeking,” stated the press release on reasons for the large increase.
The big increase in overall sales of alcohol and cannabis meant the NSLC saw a third-quarter profit of $74.9 million, an increase of 14.3 percent.