wholesalers

Richard Locker covers the continuing push to get wine sold in Tennessee’s grocery stores:

The battle was renewed this month when the Senate alcoholic beverage subcommittee reopened hearings to make a recommendation to the 2009 legislative session.

Red, Wine and Food lets us know who has been spreading the money around to keep wine out of your grocery store:

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee PAC (WSWT) has a reputation for free and frequent spending. 2008 appears to be no different.

Red, White and Food, as is their custom, issues a post indicting Tennessee’s current system of liquor distribution:

Caleb Hannan of the Nashville Scene just got wise to our achohol vending situation here in Tennessee:

Planning a nice meal tonight? Maybe some chicken Milanese with a little side salad? Or perhaps a fresh cut of salmon with asparagus?

Should Tennesseans be able to buy wine in grocery stores? Not if the Wine or Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee -- and, especially their lobbyists, have their way. They say they're protecting small businesses (liquor stores) against national chain stores (Kroger seems to be the main one mentioned), and claim independent operators can better screen against drunks and underage buyers...

The public relations campaign to get wine onto your local grocery shelves has made the papers. John Rodgers reports on the push and lobbyist who will likely stand in the way of such a move:

A brief two-question quiz on industrial organization:

QUESTION 1: A manufacturer sells his goods to a retailer. A law is passed that forbids the manufacturer from selling to the retailer. Instead, the manufacturer is required to sell to a middleman, who may then sell to a retailer. This helps: