Liquor Stores NA Reports Fourth-Quarter, Full-Year Sales Boosts, Eyes U.S. Expansion

Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. reported a consolidated sales increase of 7% to C$196 million (US$156m) for the three months ended December 31, 2014. The results included a nearly 4% increase in same-store sales in the U.S., where Liquor Stores NA operates the Liquor Barn chain in Kentucky and the Brown Jug stores in Alaska.

The Edmonton, Alberta-based company said full-year consolidated sales hit $694.2 million (US$551m), up 5% over the previous year. Total U.S. sales for the full year jumped to US$180.2 million from US$157.5 million in 2013, including foreign exchange gains. Same-store U.S. sales in 2014 increased 1% to $149.6 million from $148 million in the year prior.

In a recent conference call with analysts, Liquor Stores NA president and CEO Stephen Bebis said he’s pleased with recent trends in Kentucky, while stores in Alaska continue to be challenged by increased competition. In addition to its 23 outlets in Alaska and 13 stores in Kentucky, Liquor Stores N.A. operates more than 200 liquor shops in Canada. The company also confirmed plans to open three new stores in the U.S. this year, and said it wants to add even more. “The U.S. has opportunity for us,” Bebis told investors, noting that growth could come from building new stores in existing or new markets, or from acquisitions.

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