For nearly 30 years, buying alcohol in New Brunswick meant the price you saw on the shelf was the exact amount you paid at the register. That era ends this fall. N.B. Liquor plans to eliminate tax-inclusive pricing across all corporate and agency stores.
According to a recent report from CBC News, the Crown corporation is making this change to mirror the checkout experience at local grocery stores. When you buy beer or wine at a grocery store, the cashier adds the HST and deposit charges at the end of your transaction. N.B. Liquor wants to standardize this process.
Aligning with Retail Standards
N.B. Liquor released a statement explaining the decision. The corporation stated this change helps them align with standard retail practice. They noted most retail stores do not display all-in pricing on the shelf and their grocery partners already use this approach. The corporation believes this ensures consistency across their retail network and reduces confusion for customers.
The statement did not clarify how N.B. Liquor determined customers were confused by the all-in pricing model.
Customer Reactions Mixed
Not everyone buys the official reasoning. Rothesay resident and beverage writer Craig Pinhey understands the argument but suspects another motive. He told CBC News that the cynic in him thinks the corporation just wants prices to look lower. Since alcohol prices have gone up recently, lower shelf prices give people an incentive to buy more expensive products.
Fredericton resident Damian Bilodeau liked the simplicity of the old system but accepts the change since he also shops at Sobeys. He expects some outrage from people who already dislike paying taxes.
Another Fredericton local, Brett Hood, prefers the European model where all stores include taxes on the shelf tags. He believes the entire retail sector should adopt all-inclusive pricing instead of N.B. Liquor moving away from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I pay more for alcohol at N.B. Liquor?
No. The final price you pay at the cash register remains exactly the same. Only the price displayed on the shelf changes to show the pre-tax amount.
When does the new pricing system start?
N.B. Liquor expects to roll out the new shelf tags this fall.
Why is the corporation making this change?
N.B. Liquor wants to align its stores with standard retail practices. Grocery stores already add taxes and deposit fees at the register.
I for one prefer tax inclusive pricing. What you see is what you pay. New Zealand for example has been doing this for over 30 years. I wish all retail charged this way. While i don’t like the high prices of gas, at least it’s all a tax inclusive product. Darn, this is a step backwards!
We all have to pay taxes so why not have the price on the shelf be inclusive, it is not like some people do not have to pay taxes so the booze store, and gas stations were the only ones that include the price, here we go back 30 years?