COLUMBUS - Officials say Ohio's liquor sales numbers suggest the economic downturn has people going out less and choosing to drink at home. The state Department of Commerce says sales of spirits to wholesale buyers such as bars and restaurants continued to decline in the latest fiscal year, while retail sales to Ohio consumers kept increasing. Agency spokesman Matt Mullins says it's a trend seen for about three years.
The department on Thursday reported that the fiscal year that ended June 30 was the 11th in a row of record Ohio liquor sales. At the contracted liquor sellers, sales of spirits greater than 21 percent alcohol increased 1.75 percent to $742.7 million.
Mullins says sales have been going up amid rising prices and Ohioans' increasing thirst for premium brands.