EDITOR'S NOTE StateWays
The State of the Control States
T
his is the thirteenth consecutive year that StateWays has approached leading officials among the control states and asked them to address the key issues and developments that have affected their operations over the past year. Not only does it allow you, our
readers, to get an overall sense of the progress being made throughout the control states, but it also provides a state-by-state accounting of the efforts being made in each jurisdiction. Once again, we'd like to thank the control state commissioners, chairpersons, administrators and other officials who took time out from their busy schedules to provide this information for us…and you.
One overriding theme is clear from all these well-thought-out commentaries: the control states continue to move forward successfully on a variety of fronts. Interestingly, while the specter of privatization dominated last year's accounts, that fear seems to have dissipated somewhat this year, although a few executives still referred to the issue. Perhaps the aggressive talk among some politicians has abated, with more scrutiny being paid to the possible ramifications of privatization. Based on these reports, a wide range of responsibility initiatives continue to be put in place across the control states, from new efforts to combat college binge drinking to alcohol compliance training programs to help personnel identify false IDs. In addition, the agencies once again have reported that sales revenues among the control states have almost uni- versally increased. The officials also touch on a variety of modernization initiatives, including the upgrading of POS and security systems, redesigning and enhancing the look of stores, improving warehouse efficiencies, updating online ordering systems for licensees and developing new technologies for increasing compliance with agency regulations. There has also been a recognition of the ongoing efforts to improve retail merchandising programs across various platforms. These state snapshots also note important personnel changes with- in the agencies, as well as highlight pertinent legislative changes affecting the working of the agencies.
Indeed, for a more detailed look at the modernization of operations, particularly the implementation of new hardware and software POS systems, turn to page 24. As well as providing an extensive POS Systems Buyers' Guide, writer Cheryl Ursin has explored the latest major initiatives at two state agencies – the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and the Vermont Department of Liquor Control – to highlight the kinds of activities that are helping control state agencies operate as 21st century businesses.
Sr. Vice President and Group Publisher Charles Forman Tel: 845-426-6072 Fax: 845-426-6423 email: cforman@m2media360.com
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Richard Brandes, Editor-in-Chief
StateWaysis published by The Beverage Information Group, a division of M2MEDIA360 Editorial and executive offices are at 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: (203) 855-8499 Fax: (203) 855-9446 e-mail:
jnedelka@m2media360.com 6 StateWays www.stateways.com September/October 2012 ®
