The Giant Company to sell ready-to-drink cocktails in Pennsylvania
The Giant Company announced its intention to offer ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages across almost all of its Pennsylvania stores with operating beer and wine departments.
The company has applied for and received permits from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to sell ready-to-drink cocktails at 138 stores. Stores will start to display products on Sept. 16 and continue adding varieties over the coming days and weeks.
“Our stores have been a destination for beer and wine since 2011 and 2016, respectively, and we have heard from our customers about the convenience of being able to grab ready-to-drink cocktails while grocery shopping too,” said Rebecca Lupfer, senior vice president and chief merchant at The Giant Company. “We’re excited to expand our offering to customers starting today, with canned cocktails rolling out to 138 stores across Pennsylvania.”
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Signed into law on July 17, 2024, Act 86 of 2024 introduces the sale of ready-to-drink cocktails to the liquor code. The act defines ready-to-drink cocktails as pre-mixed drinks made from distilled liquor and other nonalcoholic liquids packaged by the manufacturer in containers of up to 16 ounces.
Ready-to-drink cocktails will be available for purchase at the company’s stores with approved licenses seven days a week between the hours of 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. The Giant Company anticipates offering ready-to-drink regional and national brands such as Surfside/Stateside and High Noon.
The company said it enforces a 100% proof-of-age policy. As a result, all store cashiers will ask for proper identification–a valid driver's license, passport, or military identification card–from any customer wanting to purchase alcohol, regardless of age. Just like beer and wine purchases, customers must also pay for their ready-to-drink cocktail purchase at the register located within the store's beer and wine department. Customers will be able to purchase, in a single sale, up to 192 ounces of ready-to-drink cocktails, and/or 192 ounces of malt or brewed beverages, and/or three liters of wine.
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