SAQ raising prices in February

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) says it will raise its prices this winter.

The increase, which will come into effect in February 2025, will exclude “low-priced” wines, which are sold for less than $12.

According to the SAQ, this new “moderate” mark-up is necessary due to the rising costs and the financial context in which it operates.

They point out that there has only been one increase in its mark-up since 2017, last May, but it now plans to review it annually.

The mark-up represents the gross margin that the SAQ takes after paying suppliers.

In May, the increase excluded wines sold at $15 or less.

The charges will apply differently depending on the different alcohols and the price of the bottles.

For a $15 wine, the SAQ indicates that the mark-up will increase by 0.3 per cent, representing about five more cents on the retail price of the bottle.

For a $45 spirit, the price will increase by 3.4 per cent, which will have an impact of $1.50 on the retail price.

Last spring, SAQ CFO Édith Filion explained that the mark-up represents approximately half of the corporation’s total revenues.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews