Breakthru Beverage Florida and Brown-Forman Corporation Mark Successful Completion of Underage Liquor Sales Prevention Program in Hillsborough County
Jul. 27, 2017
TAMPA, Fla.–Responsible Retailing Initiative, a program designed to determine the level of ID-checking to reinforce the importance of preventing underage sales, was recently held in Hillsborough County, Fla. and participants are now being notified of the extremely positive results.
The program was sponsored by Breakthru Beverage Florida in partnership with Brown-Forman Corporation and the following organizations: Responsible Retailing Forum (RRForum), a national research-based, non-profit organization; and the Florida Independent Liquor Co-op.
How Does RRI Work?
The initiative sent professional mystery shoppers to 111 licensees in Hillsborough County who agreed to participate in the mystery shopping program on ID checking. Staffers who requested identification when a customer sought to purchase an alcoholic beverage were recognized on the spot for superior compliance and commitment to limiting sales to minors. Employers of those who did not demonstrate proper diligence were notified discreetly by mail.
The Results
First Round
The first round of ID-checking took place this past March. The ID-checking pass rate was 87 percent at 38 mystery shops with 33 licensees.
Second Round
There was an 88 percent pass rate in April’s second round which targeted a random selection of 30 licensees. During this round, the mystery shopper was asked to check If clerks used scanners when available, and if there was no scanner, whether the clerks inspected the ID.
Of the store clerks who successfully checked IDs, 100 percent used an ID scanner when available. For shops that did not have access to a scanner, 100 percent of the clerks who asked for an ID performed a thorough inspection of the document before returning it to its owner.
This information was included on the mystery shop results letter with the intention to assist the licensees with their procedures and staff training.
Bob Catalani, Breakthru Beverage Group’s South Region President said, “We are deeply aware of the risks retailers face when underage consumers can purchase alcohol, and because of the high risk associated, we are always looking for opportunities to provide information that can support the safety of our community’s patrons and businesses.”
Rob Frederick, Director and VP of Corporate Responsibility for Brown-Forman Corporation said, "Brown-Forman is grateful for the partnership we have with Breakthru Beverage Florida and the RRForum. This Hillsborough Country program is another example of our commitment to reduce alcohol related harm through the prevention of underage access and consumption."
“The RRForum is committed to working with stakeholders like Breakthru and Brown-Forman to develop and refine policies that promote responsible retailing,” added Dr. Brad Krevor, President of the Responsible Retailing Forum. “We are encouraged by the outcomes in Hillsborough County, and are pleased to share the results with retailers throughout the region as we work to prevent underage alcohol sales.”
The RRI was a voluntary program for Hillsborough County businesses. The licensees that received mystery shopper visits were selected at random from a list of businesses that agreed to participate. This initiative is in line with Breakthru Beverage Group and Brown-Forman Corporation’s commitment to promoting and enhancing retailing practices that champion the importance of responsible drinking.
About Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage Group is a leading North American beverage wholesaler driving innovation in the marketplace with a nimble and insightful approach to business. Breakthru is proud to be family-owned and operated, bringing valued expertise to its operations across the U.S. and Canada. The company employs more than 7,000 associates representing a portfolio of premier wine, spirit and beer brands totaling more than $6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com.
About Brown-Forman Corporation
For more than 145 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach and GlenDronach. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,600 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit www.brown-forman.com.
About Responsible Retailing Forum
RRForum is a tax-exempt 501(C)3 organization that emerged from the work of state attorneys general who—under the authority of Consumer Protection statutes—worked with national retail chains to improve their age-verification practices and encourage underage sales refusal for age-restricted products. RRForum brings together public and private stakeholders—regulatory and enforcement agencies; attorneys general; public health agencies and advocates; retailers and their associations; distributors and producers; and researchers — to identify and promulgate best practices to prevent underage sales of age-restricted products; and examine the impacts of responsible retailing policies from the diverse perspectives of these different stakeholders. For more information, please visit http://rrforum.org/.
About Florida Independent Liquor Co-op
Florida Independent Liquor Co-op (FILC) is a liquor buying group with members throughout Florida. They help local Independent Liquor Stores buy spirits at the lowest possible price and at low, manageable levels so they can sell more competitively in the marketplace
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