At the start of Week 3, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is maintaining timely customer deliveries, operating within normal service levels and has cleared the backlog within vendor support services.
Thank you for your continued patience and collaboration as we work to meet industry needs and support our customers and suppliers. Our customers and suppliers are incredibly important to us and we look to strengthen these relationships as we continue working through the restart of our operations.
Progress update:
In Week 2, customers placed orders for approximately 644,000 cases, with daily volumes ranging between 100,000–140,000 cases. Outbound shipments totaled approximately 630,000 cases, with deliveries made to approximately 2,400 customers across the province.
Our distribution centres continue to operate with extended shifts, overtime, and auxiliary staff across critical areas to manage elevated volumes. We continue to work closely with carriers, third-party warehouses, and industry partners to accelerate service resumption.
Delivery windows:
Deliveries are being made according to the regular schedule. While occasional delays initially occurred, shipments were caught up by the end of Week 2. To help avoid delays, we ask that stores ensure orders are within their receiving capacity and that payment is up to date.
Please note that deliveries to more remote communities may take longer due to standard transit times across regions. Seasonal weather conditions may also affect transportation routes. While deliveries are proceeding as scheduled, we appreciate your patience as orders travel to locations across British Columbia.
Non-stocked wholesale product (NSWP) orders:
NSWP orders continue to be placed and fulfilled on schedule. Since the restart, 42,000 cases have been received, with 17,000 cases arriving in Week 2.
Inventory and product availability:
Inventory levels remain strong across both distribution centres, with approximately 1.59 million cases on hand and 1.37 million cases available for sale. The overall in-stock rate is 91.4 per cent, with beer, wine, and refreshment beverages above 93 per cent, and spirits at 81.6 per cent.
Several top-selling Diageo SKUs, including Crown Royal and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, continue to face supply challenges. While shipments are arriving weekly, inventory levels remain below demand, and some orders may be shorted based on available stock at the time of fulfillment. We are actively engaged with Diageo to address supply constraints and support ongoing deliveries.
Customers are encouraged to check the Supplier Stock Outs page on the LDB Wholesale Operations website regularly for updates on inventory availability.
Inbound appointments:
Vendors may continue booking appointments with the distribution centres following the standard process. Last week, distribution centres received approximately 574,000 cases.
Vendor support services:
New product registrations, wholesale pricing and import clearances are fully up to date and within service targets. The backlog of approximately 1,100 import clearances at restart has now been fully resolved and up to date.
Wholesale Customer Centre (WCC)
When placing orders, we kindly ask that customers confirm payment is up to date. If an account is currently on hold, customers should contact the WCC once payment has been completed.
We also encourage customers to review their order submission reports carefully. If you notice any duplicate orders which are not intentional, please reach out to the WCC so we can investigate and support a resolution.
For questions and assistance, please contact the WCC at wholesalehelp@bcldb.com or call 604-775-0681 or 1-888-775-0681.
Thank you for your continued support. We will continue to share updates on the LDB Wholesale Operations website at wholesale.bcldb.com.