PLCB sales surpass $3 billion for first time

Robert Tomkavage, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·3 min read

Nov. 27—The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board exceeded $3 billion in total sales for the first time in the agency's history — with vodka and bourbon leading the way.

The $3.02 billion in sales for the 2021-22 fiscal year represents a $109.9 million, or 3.8%, increase over the previous year, according to the PLCB's annual report.

Net income for the year totaled a record $330.9 million, an increase of $66 million or 24.9% over last year, per the report.

While retail sales decreased 3.4% from 2020-21 to $2.12 billion, Shawn Kelly, press secretary for the PLCB, said it's unclear if that decline will be sustained.

"There was a little drop in retail sales, but we saw the licensee sales go up for the year," Kelly said. "It seems people may have just changed from drinking in to drinking out, but it's a little too early to tell if this is a long-term trend or a one-off because of the COVID pandemic."

The retail store in South Abington Twp. had the most sales locally during the year, taking in $11,222,504, a $61,025 increase over last year.

The agency reported a 19.2% decrease in e-commerce sales from 2020-21, when online sales experienced unprecedented growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary closure of liquor stores. However, sales in 2021-22 were up 171.9% over pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19.

READY — a new training program implemented this year aimed at helping retail employees better interact with customers — was a hit with consumers and received the "Best Retail Innovation" award from StateWays magazine.

"We received a lot of compliments on the initiative," Kelly said. "We pride ourselves on increasing our customer service capabilities and want to make sure our customers have the best possible experience in our stores ."

The agency distributed $839 million to the state's general fund and state and local government beneficiaries in 2021-22.

"Millions are returned to local municipalities every year in terms of licensing fees," Kelly said. "The money goes to a lot of different places. In recent years, we've seen more go for beer and wine research in Pennsylvania through the issuing of about $1 million a year in grants which helps local producers determine how to best grow hops in certain parts of the state. Our mission broadened over the last several years in terms of funding these programs, but we understand Pennsylvania producers are an important part of our economy."

The LCB also allocated $6.6 million to the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to provide education and prevent problem alcohol use.

There's been an increase in alcohol consumption and addictive behaviors in recent years, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Julianne Marianelli, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, Geisinger Addiction Medicine,

"As far as I can see, the pandemic has triggered new addictive behaviors as well as pre-existing behaviors like when people relapse," she said. "An increase in alcohol consumption can increase the death rates in our state from alcohol-related liver disease, liver failure and liver cancer."

Marianelli said Geisinger has proven methods to help people struggling with an alcohol-use disorder.

"We definitely recommend psychotherapy for most of our patients," she said. "We offer a complete resource list of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings and also meeting for families, and in-patient detox and rehab. We use naltrexone therapy in our clinic to help people stay clear of alcohol use."

Contact the writer:

rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;

@rtomkavage on Twitter.