Busting The Connecticut Package Store Lobby’s Myths About Sunday Sales

The Connecticut Package Store Association uses a number of myths and distortions to argue against allowing Connecticut consumers the common sense convenience of purchasing beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores on Sundays.

It’s time to separate fact from fiction.

Myth:

Lifting the Sunday ban would not bring new revenue to the state by way of state sales taxes.

Fact:

According to a December 2009 report issued by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, the state could see an increase of up to $8 million in new revenue if the Sunday alcohol sales prohibition were repealed.¹ Furthermore, Colorado, the latest state to eliminate the ban on Sunday Sales, saw revenue increase 6%.² According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, states that lift the ban on Sunday sales see a 5 percent to 8 percent annual sales increase.³ In light of our current budget deficit, this would be welcome income to help fill the gap in funding for crucial social service programs.

Myth:

Lifting the ban would have a negative financial impact on Connecticut businesses.

Fact:

Many grocery and liquor store owners near the Connecticut borders report a loss of sales to businesses just over the state line, and frequently voice their concerns about this to local media outlets and their elected officials. The state and Connecticut businesses also miss out on peripheral sales and taxes. When customers cross the border on a Sunday to purchase alcohol, they’re also likely to buy gas, lunch, or make other purchases to cut down on the amount of driving during their shopping trip.⁴ Thus, it’s difficult to calculate just how great the loss in local revenue truly is.

Myth:

It’s inconvenient for small businesses to stay open on Sunday.

Fact:

Nearly every other industry has the option to remain open seven days a week. Lifting the ban would not require any stores to stay open on Sundays; it would merely give all stores the choice and freedom to open if they so choose. Consumers deserve convenience, and shouldn’t have to drive just over the state border on certain days of the week in order to purchase alcohol.

Myth:

Many small, family-owned liquor stores have limited overhead for staffing, and staying open on Sunday would cause them to lose money, potentially leading to layoffs and eventually forcing them out of business.

Fact:

Sunday is the most important shopping day of the week, and stores are missing out on crucial income which would augment their business. There is no evidence of package store closings in other states which have repealed their Blue Laws in recent years. In actuality, this option to remain open would lead to more paid hours for package and grocery store workers, helping to stimulate the job market. Furthermore, many of the same individuals who say that small stores would lose money if they had to stay open on Sunday also argue that if they were to stay closed, could be forced out of business if their Sunday shoppers shop elsewhere—meaning there must be $$$ involved. They try to have it both ways.

Myth:

Allowing Sunday sales would increase the occurrence of alcohol-related accidents on Sundays.

Fact:

Common sense dictates that since bars, restaurants, and sporting events sell alcohol on Sundays, alcohol is being consumed, and if individuals can’t purchase alcohol to enjoy at home, they’re more likely to go somewhere else to drink and then drive. Controlled scientific studies prove this principle as well. In the 14 states that have passed Sunday sales since 2002, there have been no negative consequences with respect to underage drinking and drunk driving.⁵

Myth:

Repealing the Blue Law would increase indirect costs to municipalities and the state for social service costs such as treatment of people with alcohol problems and police enforcement to monitor sales to minors.

Fact:

In 1997, the province of Ontario abolished its prohibition of off-premise Sunday alcohol sales. Researchers from the University of California collected data and studied the effects of this legislation, determining that there was no increase in overall drinking, and although there was a slight increase in Sunday drinking habits, there was actually a reduction of alcohol consumption on Saturdays, typically one of the heaviest drinking days.⁶ This suggests that people were more likely to spread their alcohol consumption more evenly throughout the week, a more responsible and healthy drinking pattern. As far as police enforcement, there would be no need for increased staffing on Sundays if there are already officers on duty to ensure compliance at restaurants and bars.

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1 Kissel, John A., et. al. Connecticut’s Economic Competitiveness in Selected Areas, December 2009. Legislative rogram Review and Investigations Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/pridata/Studies/PDF/Connecticuts_Economic_Competitiveness_Final_Report.PDF

2 “A Toast to Sunday Liquor Sales,” October 22, 2009. Allbusiness.com. http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/tax-law-excise-tax/13282872-1.html

3 Associated Press. “Lawmakers Across the Nation Look to Booze for Revenues,” February 15, 2009. Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/02/15/lawmakers-nation-look-booze-revenues#ixzz1CFwI4vN8

4 Stringham, Edward Peter. “Op-Ed: Not Just Booze Taxes Lost to Sunday Ban.” The Hartford Courant. February 27, 2010.

5 Stehr, Mark F. Drexel University. “The Effect of Sunday Sales of Alcohol on Highway Crash Fatalities, August 10, 2010.

6 Maloney, M.T. and Rudbeck, J.C. “The Outcome from Legalizing Sunday Packaged Alchohol Sales on Traffic Accidents in New Mexico.” Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2009. 1094-1098

7 Carpenter, C.S. and Eisenberg, D. “Effects of Sunday sales restrictions on overall and day-specific alcohol consumption: Evidence from Canada.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2009. 70, 126-133.