Alberta Retailers Face Disruption in Beer Delivery Amid BDL Issues

Retailers across Alberta are grappling with significant disruptions in beer and cooler deliveries, primarily caused by issues at Brewer Distributor Ltd. (BDL), which manages supplies for major brands like Labatt and Molson. This situation has left shelves empty and funds tied up in unpaid orders, creating frustration among business owners.

The delivery problems began just before the Labour Day long weekend, leaving retailers unable to restock their inventory adequately. Jennifer Bird, owner of Urban Cellars in Calgary, stated, “I’ve got four orders I’ve put through that I haven’t received.” The last delivery to her store was on August 11, 2023, and despite a recent order placed the Monday prior, she has yet to receive her products.

Retailers are required to pay the Alberta Gaming Liquor Cannabis (AGLC) for these orders, regardless of whether BDL fulfills them. Bird expressed her concern, noting that she currently has $15,000 tied up within the AGLC. Her store’s beer cooler is now half empty due to the ongoing supply issues. Assistant manager Keith LaBorde remarked, “It’s been a major, major disruption.”

The situation extends beyond Urban Cellars. Rankaj Koundan, owner of Dave’s Liquor, also reported that his deliveries have been inconsistent, saying, “We haven’t seen deliveries in the past two weeks.” Other liquor stores have encountered similar challenges, although some have noted a gradual return to normalcy.

Minkal Garg, who runs Sundown Liquor, mentioned that he had not received deliveries for two weeks. He attributed some of the chaos to a rumored cyber attack on BDL, though he indicated that orders are beginning to come through again. “People were panicking but the orders are coming through now,” Garg explained.

According to Ivonne Martinez, president of the Alberta Liquor Store Association, the disruptions have had a considerable financial impact. Retailers lost revenue during the crucial Labour Day weekend, with continued challenges due to lingering summer demand. Martinez noted that many business owners still face difficulties in placing orders as BDL attempts to catch up on deliveries.

As the situation unfolds, Alberta’s liquor retailers remain hopeful for a resolution, allowing them to restore normal operations and meet consumer demand effectively. The disruptions have highlighted the complexities of supply chain management in the beverage industry and the critical role that distributors like BDL play in maintaining inventory levels for retail businesses.