Alcohol licensing system changes and alcohol consumption: introduction of wine into New Zealand grocery stores

• Published in: Addiction (Abingdon, England) Vol. 90; no. 6; pp. 773 - 783
• Main Authors: WAGENAAR, A. C, LANGLEY, J. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01.06.1995; Carfax
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - legislation & jurisprudence; Alcoholic beverages; Alcoholic Beverages - supply & distribution; Alcoholism; Biological and medical sciences; Factors; Food Services - legislation & jurisprudence; Grocery stores; Humans; Licenses; Licensing; Licensure - legislation & jurisprudence; Medical sciences; New Zealand; New Zealand - epidemiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Retail trade; Sales; Time series; Trade policy; Wine; Wine - supply & distribution; New Zealand; Oceania; Consumption; Human; Wine; Alcoholic beverage; Regulation; Sales
• ISSN: 0965-2140; 1360-0443
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1995.tb02225.x

New Zealand permitted grocery stores to sell table wine products beginning April 1990 with the implementation of a new Sale of Liquor Act. The number of licensed outlets for retail sales of wine for consumption off-premises increased substantially. Using an interrupted multiple time-series design with nation-wide quarterly alcohol sales data from 1983 to 1993, we assessed the effects of the policy change on sales of wine. Results from Box-Jenkins time-series models revealed a 17% increase in wine sales associated with the introduction of wine grocery stores. Increased sales were limited to the specific category of alcoholic beverages permitted in grocery stores--table wine. Sales of fortified wine, distilled spirits and beer did not increase. We conclude that expansion in retail availability of wine is associated with increased sales and consumption.