Costco booze fight is only the beginning

Alcohol-sales wars are brewing across the nation.

Costco this week failed in a well-funded attempt in its home state of Washington to expand its revenue from alcohol sales. The discount retail giant backed a ballot initiative that essentially would have booted alcohol distributors from the sales equation. Costco was pushing to buy alcoholic beverages directly from manufacturers. The initiative also would have made it much more difficult for Washington’s state-controlled-and-operated liquor stores to compete for business.

Ultimately, Washington voters rejected the initiative — leaving liquor stores in the state’s ownership for now.

But don’t think this fight ends here. (more…)