Manitobas Economy "the exception to the rule once again"

With belts tightening, champagne's just not popping
DIANA MEHTA
From Friday's Globe and Mail
December 18, 2008 at 3:53 AM EST
The latest victim of the sluggish economy appears to be the bottles of premium champagne gathering dust in local liquor stores.
In Alberta and Ontario, at least, consumers seem to be trading down to cheaper spirits as retailers report softening sales of luxury brands.
The amount of premium champagne sold in Ontario over the past eight months is down by 6.6 per cent from the same period last year, according to figures supplied by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Sales of the finest cognac experienced a similar decline.
In Alberta, liquor retailers are seeing high-end products pile up at the industry's distribution centre as people become more conservative with their choices, said Laura Wright, executive director of the Alberta Liquor Store Association.
Andrea Anastasiou is one customer rethinking her high-end purchases. She turned a bottle of premium champagne over in her hands before placing it back on the shelf in a Toronto liquor store yesterday. The 37-year-old Yorkville bridal-boutique owner was buying gifts for co-workers.
"I'd like to get more things for more people so maybe I'll get something that costs a little less."
Other customers still enjoy the good stuff, but in moderation.
Vijay Karumanchi, a 38-year-old restaurant owner, was at the LCBO to pick up a few bottles of brandy and cognac and said he isn't changing his preferences. "There is definitely a decline in the quantity I buy, but the products are the same."
The trend in Alberta and Ontario may be localized, however. Manitoba sold its most-expensive-ever single-malt whisky this month at $3,850 per bottle and sales of other premium alcohol are increasing in the province.
The same is true in British Columbia where "premiumization" - people moving upmarket from traditional drinks for quality or status - continues to gather steam. Saskatchewan has also reported a similar trend.