Managing a liquor store is challenging in any state, but in Utah, where the alcohol regulations and restrictions are tighter than most states, it can be especially difficult.
Managing liquor store inventory is no ordinary task. When you factor in the rules and regulations governing the management, sale, and promotion of liquor in the state of Utah, you might just be ready to throw up your hands in defeat!
With the unique combination of state-controlled distribution and the ever-evolving demands of consumers, it's crucial to get things right.
This post covers all the Utah liquor store inventory basics. We’ll go over the regulations governing the sale of alcohol in Utah, then dive into some top solutions you can use to manage liquor inventory with ease.
Utah Liquor Store Inventory Regulations
In Utah, state liquor stores hold a unique position as the exclusive sellers of liquor and wine in the state. Beer can be sold in convenience and grocery stores if it has an alcohol by volume (ABV) under five percent.
Utah also has strict regulations regarding liquor store operations. All state liquor stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, so Utah-based liquor store owners must plan inventory accordingly for their legal days of operation.
Of course, adhering to the legal age requirement is a must everywhere, and Utah is no exception. The legal age to purchase alcohol in the state is 21. Additionally, it's important to be aware that while selling alcohol is legal in Utah, promoting the sale of alcohol is forbidden. As a liquor store owner in this state, you'll need to focus on other creative strategies to attract customers and increase sales, given the restrictions on promotional activities.
Related Read: 4 Alcohol Marketing Guidelines You Need To Be Aware Of
Now, let's discuss the common liquor store inventory you'll find in state liquor stores in Utah.
You'll discover a comprehensive selection, including all liquors and wines. However, it's worth noting that only beers with an ABV higher than five percent are available in state liquor stores. Lighter-weight beers can be found in other stores, as per state regulations.
Managing inventory for liquor stores can be as challenging in Utah as in any other state, especially with the wide range of products available. Proper inventory management ensures you have enough stock to meet customer demand while avoiding overstocking and potential wastage.
Consider investing in a reliable inventory management system to help you keep track of your liquor store's stock levels, sales trends, and reorder points.
By staying informed about Utah's specific liquor store regulations and adopting efficient inventory management practices, you'll be better equipped to run a successful and compliant liquor business in the state. With all this in mind, let’s look at some solutions you can use to manage inventory for your Utah-based liquor store.
1. POS Nation
POS Nation offers liquor store point of sale (POS) solutions with hardware, software, and support tailored to help small businesses grow. They have served thousands of liquor and wine shops and are trusted by over 10,000 customers. They provide flexible pricing options, including a monthly plan with a hardware bundle, 24/7 support, and a custom build option with multiple payment tiers.
Their liquor store POS system features include faster checkout, easier inventory management, and detailed reports to aid in making better business decisions. You can use POS Nation’s software solution to track your sales and make data-driven decisions regarding product placement within your store, which will help to boost sales while still adhering to Utah’s strict regulations on alcohol promotion.
Some features offered are mix and match pricing to increase sales, case break inventory tracking to manage inventory efficiently, prebuilt monthly purchase and sales ledgers, and mobile inventory and handheld devices for easier inventory management. Additionally, their software provides sales reporting and analysis, allowing businesses to track sales and identify the best-performing brands and products.
Pricing:
POS Nation’s pricing starts at $149 per month, and custom quotes are available on their website.
2. mPower Beverage
mPowers offers a highly trusted liquor store POS system with real-time inventory management, multiple pricing tiers, and support for multiple locations. The system includes suggested ordering reports, customer management with built-in rewards programs, and integration with partners such as QuickBooks, Drizly, and Wine Fetch.
Designed for beer, wine, and liquor retailers, the mPower POS software streamlines operations and provides essential data for intelligent business decisions. Customers have praised the software's features and customer service, making it a valuable tool for liquor store owners and managers.
The mPower liquor POS product offers features like remote access, credit card integration, reporting flexibility, age verification, and more. Utah-based liquor store owners may enjoy mPower’s multi-store data synchronization tools. Using this feature, you can synchronize data across all your state liquor store locations, giving you real-time insights into your stock and enabling you to reorder before you run out.
Pricing:
mPower’s pricing starts at $1,000 upfront and $120 per month for your first register. They offer additional pricing and packages for additional registers on their website.
3. Bottle POS
Bottle POS offers an all-in-one liquor store point of sale system trusted by hundreds of liquor store owners.
Our system includes features such as a centralized database for easy inventory updates, auto ranking of products based on sales patterns, automated inventory receiving, built-in dual pricing for cash discounts, 24/7 inventory management from any device, and customer loyalty and rewards programs.
Additionally, our solution provides an integrated e-commerce liquor store. Bottle POS is designed specifically for liquor stores and addresses your unique challenges, making it a valuable tool for liquor store owners to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Utah-based store owners will benefit from features like our built-in age verification features, barcode scanner integrations, and robust sales reporting. You can use the data you gather from Bottle POS reporting and analytics to make informed decisions regarding the products you stock, where you place them in your store, and more.
You can also use Bottle POS to manage your staffing and employee access. These features will help you ensure your store is appropriately staffed while making accommodations to be closed on Sundays and holidays, required by law.
Pricing:
You can get a custom quote today using our transparent build and price tool!
Manage Your Utah Liquor Store Inventory
Managing liquor store inventory in the state of Utah offers some unique challenges not found in many other states. As a result, you need an inventory management system capable of providing you with the essential data to ensure you comply with all applicable rules and regulations.
Bottle POS offers advanced inventory management and reporting capabilities. You can access inventory and sales information from your mobile device wherever you are, allowing you to keep your finger on the pulse of your business at all times.
To see if Bottle POS is the best solution for your Utah liquor store inventory needs, schedule a free software demo today!
