Walmart Backs Off Wine Vending Machine Deal

In Pennsylvania, the retailer blames "mechanical concerns" over its change of plans, which comes less than three months after Wegmans ended its wine vending machine program.

August 26, 2011

HARRISBURG, PA - In a letter last week sent to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), Walmart said it plans to pull out of a deal to install 23 state-controlled wine vending machines in its Pennsylvania stores, the Associated Press reports.

A company statement released this week attributed the change of plans to "mechanical concerns" over the 10-foot high machines, which are part of a program that some had touted as a way to add customer convenience to the state€™s antiquated liquor laws.

"Walmart will continue to work with PLCB officials to look at ways to modernize the state's liquor and wine distribution system and provide Pennsylvanians with a convenient shopping experience," the company said.

Alan Fellheimer, a lawyer representing the contractor for the machines, said mechanical problems affected less than 0.5 percent of transactions. "They never installed them, so I don't know what they base that on," he said.

Earlier this year, Wegmans Food Markets Inc. pulled out of an agreement with the PLCB to sell wine through machines at 10 of its stores, citing problems with the machines and customer complaints.

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