Yesterday the PLCB started enacting the delisting recommendations approved by the Board in December, so 150+ items were changed to "close-out" status in the last two days. (Don't worry, the bulk of the damage was to vodkas, low-end cordials, and non-regular bottle sizes. I'll post the full list over the weekend as usual.)
As of this morning, you might notice that the most highly sought-after whiskeys from Buffalo Trace, including Van Winkle, Sazerac 6yr Rye, and the entire Antique Collection are now on close-out. DO NOT PANIC. WE ARE NOT LOSING A SINGLE BOTTLE OF OUR FUTURE ALLOCATIONS OF THESE PRODUCTS. The reason these codes are being closed out is that their current listing status encourages stores to keep shelf space available for the products year-round, even though most of them get bought up within weeks of hitting stores.
The new way these products will be listed is as a "one-time buy". When we get our annual allocation of Antique Collection or our twice-annual allocation of baby Saz, a one-time code will be entered into the system, so that stores will know they should reclaim the shelf space once they sell out of their first and only shipment. It's purely a logistical thing.
There's some good news for these products, too--Buffalo Trace has agreed to increase our allotment of these allocated whiskeys, although we don't know by how much yet. In addition, the PLCB will be experimenting with new avenues of getting future Antique Collection releases to customers to try and cut down on the hoarding and trafficking that has become common in the past few years. That's something to look forward to!
As of this morning, you might notice that the most highly sought-after whiskeys from Buffalo Trace, including Van Winkle, Sazerac 6yr Rye, and the entire Antique Collection are now on close-out. DO NOT PANIC. WE ARE NOT LOSING A SINGLE BOTTLE OF OUR FUTURE ALLOCATIONS OF THESE PRODUCTS. The reason these codes are being closed out is that their current listing status encourages stores to keep shelf space available for the products year-round, even though most of them get bought up within weeks of hitting stores.
The new way these products will be listed is as a "one-time buy". When we get our annual allocation of Antique Collection or our twice-annual allocation of baby Saz, a one-time code will be entered into the system, so that stores will know they should reclaim the shelf space once they sell out of their first and only shipment. It's purely a logistical thing.
There's some good news for these products, too--Buffalo Trace has agreed to increase our allotment of these allocated whiskeys, although we don't know by how much yet. In addition, the PLCB will be experimenting with new avenues of getting future Antique Collection releases to customers to try and cut down on the hoarding and trafficking that has become common in the past few years. That's something to look forward to!
Nathan,
This is a really good idea. Is this the first steps to freeing up more shelf space for a larger selection of year-round whiskies? If so, that's even better yet! I don't know if you saw my comment about the Lancaster, PA Fruitville Pike store being really empty- is this related to that? New inventory and products coming???
Thanks!
Ethan.