All liquor stores across Saskatchewan will be owned and operated as private services in 2023, as the provincial Government is nearing the end of its transition out of the sector.
“With year over year declines in net revenue at SLGA retail, our government has made the decision to get out of the business of selling liquor,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr.
According to government data, sales in liquor stores have plummeted over the last three years, with profits in 2018-2019 totaling approximately $9.4 million, with that number falling to $ 3.2 million last year. The government suggests that revenue for the current fiscal year is slated to drop to under $500,000.
All stores will be closed by March 31st, 2023, with physical assets, including 19 buildings owned by SLGA, fixtures, and equipment will be sold off to private bidders.
The government says store permits associated with the 34 stores will be sold via a public online auction process beginning in early 2023.