Ohio Liquor Sales Hit Record High in 2009

[The Straight Story]

Ohio Liquor Sales Hit Record High in 2009

Unemployment has hit Ohio hard, and it's nowhere more evident than it its liquor sales. Down-in-the-dumps Ohioans have been slinging back more liquor than ever in the past year, hitting record state liquor sales.

The state Department of Commerce reported that the state liquor sales hit $734..8 million in 2009, exceeding the 2008 figure by $15.7 million, or 2.18 percent.

According to Commerce Director Kimberly Zurz, the sale of liquor in dollars has increased for several years now, mainly due to increases in product prices, an increase in the purchase of premium products, and a rise in the level of consumption.

Zurz also noted that there was a record net profit of $224 million, and an all-time high profit margin of 30.1 percent. This allowed for a total contribution of more than $299 million to the state treasury in 2009.

Of that $299 million, $163 million was transfered to the state's General Revenue Fund. $61.2 million was earmarked for services including liquor law enforcement, alcohol treatment, education and prevention programs, and the retirement of economic development and Clean Ohio revitalization bonds. $69.5 million was deposited into the state's treasury.

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/12758

[gmoney]

1. Dollars don't count... quantity counts.

Crap journalism. Increased spending may not equate to increased drinking. If some one chooses a $30 bottle of wine, and someone else buys a case of beer for $25, the beer guy is doing more drinking, even if he's spending less.

Plus, it's only 2 percent. BFD. I can quit anytime I want.

[MercutioATC]

2. Wooohooo!

Good news for somebody starting a liquor brand :)

[Cali_Democrat]

3. I will never understand why people drink when they are feeling depressed

It just makes me feel even more like shit, especially the next day if I've had too much to drink.