The province says it is planning to allow third-party companies to distribute specialty liquor products from warehouses.

The changes to the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act were introduced in the legislature on Wednesday.

“We already use Saskatchewan-based third party warehouses to distribute beer and coolers to retailers but have been sourcing many specialty products from warehouses outside the province,” Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Minister Gene Makowsky said in a news release. “This change will allow such warehouses to set up in Saskatchewan to distribute a broad range of specialty beer, wine and spirits.”

The province says specialty products account for approximately five percent of the province’s liquor sales and include products typically ordered in small quantities and often on an irregular basis.

 Currently, SLGA orders these products from out-of-province warehouses, receives them and then ships them out to retailers around Saskatchewan via SLGA’s Distribution Centre.

The release states that allowing such warehouses to operate here will allow SLGA to focus on maintaining the efficient distribution of popular, high volume wines and spirits.  All applicable markup will continue to be collected by SLGA, no matter who distributes the product.

 “It’s a positive change for businesses who want to operate in Saskatchewan,” Makowsky said.  “And it will also mean improved access to these niche products for retailers and their customers.”