Food stores licensed to sell wine in Tennessee under WIGS can only stock certain kinds of wine. As WIGS has rolled out, confusion over what can be sold at a grocery has been a major issue. There are no final rules yet from the ABC – its early and we do not expect final rules […] Read more
Wine in groceries has been legal in Tennessee for just 18 days. But the WIGS law seems to have raised more questions than answers. The statutory 20% minimum markup has been a constant source of questions for grocers. Here is one of our favorites: When the wholesale price of wine drops, what is the minimum […] Read more
Moments ago, TABC Director Clay Byrd released final guidance for wine in grocery stores, which we affectionately call WIGS. Here is your very own copy. WIGS has been live for consumers for 11 days, but the euphoria is still palpable. We hear the Pointer Sisters classic: I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it […] Read more
Zack Blair – Assistant Director, Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Zack Blair has been named Assistant Director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Previously, Assistant Director Blair served as Director of Legislation for the Department of Children’s Services for the State of Tennessee. Assistant Director Blair whet his appetite for the alcoholic beverage industry while working […] Read more
Vicki Schmidt, Paralegal at Bone McAllester Norton D Day for wine in Tennessee came with great fanfare. Volunteer State Vinophiles celebrated July 1 like it was 1999. Here is alcoholic beverage team member Vicki Schmidt purchasing the fourth bottle of wine on July 1 from her local Walmart. Vicki got in line before 8 am to […] Read more
Vicki Schmidt, Paralegal at Bone McAllester Norton D Day for wine in Tennessee came with great fanfare. Volunteer State Vinophiles celebrated July 1 like it was 1999. Here is alcoholic beverage team member Vicki Schmidt purchasing the fourth bottle of wine on July 1 from her local Walmart. Vicki got in line before 8 am to […] Read more
A wide range of industry members met this Monday June 20 to discuss proposed regulations for WIGS. Thanks to Matt Scanlan for organizing and hosting. One hot question is whether deliveries of wine must be made to a designated manager. Some say yes, some say no. For now, we agreed to defer making a recommendation […] Read more
We say Whoa! We learned today that at least one food store was already trying to ring up wine sales – before July 1, when wine can be legally sold at food stores. With wine tempting customers from grocery shelves, we wonder how many consumers are selecting their favorite pinot, placing it in their cart and either […] Read more
Wine in Grocery Stores, which we affectionately call WIGS, becomes legal on July 1. Just 15 days away from today, June 16. For those of us at ground zero in the licensing process for WIGS, it is crunch time. Today, we celebrated Christmas in June with new ABC Director Clay Byrd. We picked up 120 […] Read more
It is official. The head honcho is in the driver’s seat. Newly minted Director Clayton Byrd sent us his first “official” e-mail today on behalf of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. For those deeply ensconced in WIGS, Director Byrd had great news. WIGS applicants are encouraged to send in the $1,250 license fee, if the […] Read more
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