Liquor sales in Ohio near $1 billion

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The state says liquor sales in Ohio have set another record, nearly topping $1 billion in the past fiscal year.

The Ohio Department of Commerce said Sunday that revenue from liquor sales in 2015 were up by 7 percent to just over $982 million.

Commerce Director Jacqueline Williams says one reason is that consumers are buying higher-priced premium brands and specialty spirits.

It’s a trend that also helped break revenue records in 2014. The commerce department says sales this past May and June were near the volume seen during the busy winter holidays.

Williams says the increase is impressive because the division is in the middle of replacing its old management system.

with a new inventory control system.

that will improve ordering and logistics.