Engaging the Mixed Beverage Community
This year the Mecklenburg County ABC Board made a conscious and intentional effort to connect, listen, and engage with our mixed beverage customers across various platforms. The ABC Board took action in this area by devising a task force conducting virtual and in-person focus groups, sending direct mailers and collecting survey results along with contact information to maintain updated directories and create open lines of communication. ABC also created a new MXB liaison role designed to be the point of contact for all MXB customers with the goal of building stronger relationships. The ABC Board focused on creating an enhanced training program while also ensuring that all internal technology was current for our staff. Training and courses are also now accessible for MXB customers. The ABC Board is committed to constant improvement all while continuing to provide great customer service.
The ABC Board teamed up with the Charlotte Bourbon Society (CBS) to bring in the highest quality Bourbon to our customers through our "Barrelpalooza" events. Additionally, we’ve consulted with bartenders, restaurant owners, and general managers to help lead the charge, and we have 60 representatives from the industry helping to select our barrels.
Testimonial from Mixed Beverage Customer
Andy Upchurch, Proof LKN, LLC (doing business as Bin110)
“I believe [the ABC-hosted focus groups] are vital in fostering a partnership relationship between the Meck ABC Board and the local Bar/Restaurant/Hospitality contingent. We are both truly working towards the same goals, so it’s vital that our relationship be complimentary as opposed to contentious.
The current relationship between MXB customers and Meck ABC [is] so much better now than it was three to five years ago. In the past, myself as well as many others in the industry, felt like the relationship was adversarial and wrought with tension. Today, that has completely changed, and I actually enjoy going to pick up my orders and working with people at the ABC board.
Our business (Bin110) has emerged from the pandemic stronger than we entered it. COVID was incredibly difficult for everyone… it dealt some serious blows to Meck ABC. Meck ABC absorbed those blows, but also adapted and improved. In the five years I’ve been in this industry, Meck ABC hasn’t been stronger than it is right now. Finally, I want to also say that the addition of your position as MXB Liaison has been outstanding. Having someone that just helps us in the MXB world, is greatly appreciated and will lead to increased sales for both of us. Thanks again for all that you and the team do.”
Improving Data to Support Mixed Beverage Customers
Through the collaboration efforts with our Mixed Beverage Customers, we’ve identified core technology and reporting improvements and augmentation to our existing portal, providing direct benefit to our Mixed Beverage community. An overhaul to the shopping experience now allows customers the ability to shop online across our various stores, not just their home store, providing access to their requested product. Improvements to this online ordering platform, eLicensee, will also assist customers with their auditing needs.
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Supporting Retail Customers
Improving Store Operations and Efficiency
After exploring ways to become more efficient at stocking store shelves, the Mecklenburg County ABC Board selected a third-party vendor to support this effort. Beginning in January 2022, the Operations and Warehouse teams worked with this vendor to create a new system and schedule for stocking shelves. This new system increased internal efficiency and ensured customers could find the products they wanted on-demand.
In FY22, store management and their assigned teams focused on strengthening communication and teamwork. Our customers began to notice, as supported by the following Google Reviews:
Store 29/Matthews
“It’s nice with variety of choices.”
Store 15/South Blvd
“I’ve always been able to get what I want and get a cocktail recipe card when I feel like trying something new KUTGW!!!”
Store 17/Cornelius
“Nice liquor store. Setup is nice and people working were Great! I picked up a bottle I had been looking for a little bit. Good Selection.”
Store 22/Huntersville
“Great prices, clean building and found my Southern Star Distillery Double Shot here.”
Store 13/Brookshire
“Fast service and hard to find items.”
Store 22/Huntersville
“Very pleasant employees and very helpful. Big variety of product.”
Store 23/South Tryon
“Great selection of everything.”
Store 5/Wilkinson Blvd
“Very crowded but they were staffed so they got us in and out and well stocked.”
Store 25/Cotswold
“The presentation of the spirits here made me like the environment.”
Store 6/Park Rd.
“Good selection, staff works hard and is very helpful.”
Store 20/University Blvd
“My favorite ABC store hands down. Great selection and nice service. I can always find what I am looking for in here. Always have a stocked selection to choose from.”
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FY 2022 Sales
Top 10 Selling Products of FY 2022*
*Based on sales dollars
Tito's Handmade Vodka $10,496,605 1 .75L Tito's Handmade Vodka $2,706,189 Jameson $3,040,886 8 1L .75L Hennessy VS $4,564,880 4 .75L Crown Royal $3,402,454 Jack Daniels Black Label $3,391,925 5 6 .75L .75L
Mark $2,440,353 Grey Goose $2,376,474 10 .75L .75L 9 7 Patron Silver $6,905,328 2 .75L Tito's Handmade Vodka $ 5,618,434 3 1.75L 12
Makers
Sales Retail Liquour Mixed Beverage Wine and Mixers Gross Sales Total Taxes Net Sales Cost of Sales Gross Profit on Sales Operating Expenses Store Warehouse and Delivery General and Administratve Depreciation Expense Other Post Empl Benefits Total Operating Expenses Income from Operations Interest Income Non-operating Revenues Profit Before Distributions Distributions Law Enforcement Alcohol Education Community Grants and Anuvia Total Distributions Distributions to Local Government City County Library Total Local Government Distributions 143,008,899 85,695,307 175,070 228,879,276 55,253,458 173,625,818 114,716,742 58,909,076 17,302,105 1,274,583 2,276,797 1,918,093 869,192 23,640,770 35,268,306 18,785 283,475 35,570,566 3,400,782 325,007 4,200,463 7,926,252 10,556,475 10,556,475 1,111,207 22,224,157 105,298,178 58,144,766 206,667 163,649,611 39,588,039 124,061,572 82,514,324 41,547,248 13,143,528 647,982 1,582,590 1,660,547 390,937 17,425,584 24,121,664 77,820 194,630 24,394,114 2,257,053 171,134 4,478,975 6,907,162 6,057,914 6,057,914 637,674 12,753,502 115,121,724 68,185,208 197,982 178,504,914 43,117,891 135,387,023 89,414,236 45,972,788 13,570,422 685,131 1,938,315 1,868,352 532,909 18,595,129 27,377,659 155,311 401,358 27,934,328 2,588,960 198,004 4,705,697 7,492,661 6,313,309 6,313,309 664,558 13,291,176 131,092,349 50,811,305 264,772 182,168,426 43,307,921 138,860,505 92,224,932 46,635,573 15,141,249 998,332 2,610,972 2,013,067 869,195 21,632,815 25,002,758 167,535 70,594 25,240,887 3,518,320 237,703 4,794,147 8,550,170 7,056,475 7,056,475 742,786 14,855,736 153,811,63 50,950,973 270,763 205,033,367 48,383,908 156,649,459 104,601,345 52,048,114 15,800,441 903,903 2,921,834 1,967,840 869,191 22,463,209 29,584,905 28,673 345,852 29,959,430 3,310,715 258,726 4,018,405 7,587,846 $6,242,064 6,242,064 657,058 $13,141,186 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2022
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FY 2022 Financial Report