Giant Eagle Pilots Wine-to-Go Sales

Program brings more wine options to consumers as part of a new law that modernizes the sale of liquor, beer and wine in Pennsylvania.

August 22, 2016

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and Giant Eagle have implemented a pilot program for wine-to-go sales, beginning with a Pittsburgh-area Giant Eagle store.

“Today is a great milestone in bringing additional convenience to Pennsylvanians seeking to pick up a bottle of wine along with ingredients for dinner, and maybe even a six pack of beer or two,” said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden in a press release. “Less than two weeks after historic liquor reforms took effect across Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh residents enjoy one-stop shopping for wine, beer and groceries at their local Giant Eagle.”

Giant Eagle and the PLCB initially met in early August so both organizations could begin to collaboratively plan and develop the processes for a system-wide roll-out of wine to go at many Giant Eagle stores in Pennsylvania. A limited pilot program, intended to test and refine processes for forecasting product needs, planning replenishment orders, and delivering wine from a PLCB distribution center directly to the store, was developed for one Giant Eagle location.

The PLCB is in discussions with a number of large chain retailers interested in selling wine to go, and it will be encouraging development of similar, limited pilot programs with each retailer intending to sell wine at multiple locations.

“As I have always said, my goal is to modernize the sale of liquor, wine and beer in order to bring Pennsylvania’s wine and spirits system into the 21st Century,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I applaud PLCB for the efforts to quickly implement Act 39 and Giant Eagle's commitment to bringing greater convenience to the people of Pennsylvania.”

Act 39 is a new law that gives customers more options to buy wine in Pennsylvania. The new law allows grocery stores to apply to sell bottles of wine, and wineries can ship direct to Pennsylvania residents. Additionally, more convenience stores will be able to sell beer.

Giant Eagle operates approximately 190 GetGo gas station and convenience store locations.

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