N.S. liquor authority boosts sales in 2007 thanks to wine, beer and Sundays

HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation says its sales were up 5.5 per cent last year.

The Crown corporation says wine sales led the way, growing by 11 per cent in fiscal year that ended March 31.

Bret Mitchell, the corporation's president and CEO, says the NSLC exceeded its financial target for the third year in a row.

Aside from the increase in wine sales, Mitchell attributed the growth to increased beer sales, expansion of agency stores and new Sunday shopping rules.

The total number of agency stores increased from 36 to 54 in 2007.

As for Sunday shopping, NSLC opened half of its stores on Sunday afternoons beginning in July 2007 - but the corporation says it remains unclear how the openings have affected sales.

Overall, the corporation reported a profit of $199 million on net sales of $531 million in 2007.