MONTREAL - Quebecers appear to have found either more cause for celebration or more comfort in the form of liquid solace since last year.
Sales of booze in the province have risen solidly since last year at this time.
The Quebec Liquor Corp. (SAQ) Friday posted a net profit of $ 359.3 million in the third quarter, up 7.8 percent compared to the $ 333.3 million reported in the same period last year.
The revenues of the SAQ corporation for the quarter ending January 1 rose $ 47 million, or 5.1 percent, compared to the same period a year earlier.
The consolidated net operating expenses totaled $ 151.8 million in the latest quarter, up two percent over the same period last year.
Net sales from the branches of the SAQ showed growth of 5.3 percent to $ 855.9 million, while those of grocery wholesalers increased 3.7 percent for amount to $ 109.8 million.
Wine sales rose 5.2 percent in the third quarter to $ 52.4 million liters, while spirits were up 4.1 percent to 7.7 million liters.
Coolers proved less popular and their sales dropped 5.9 percent in latest quarter, to 1.7 million liters.
Last March the province forced producers of malt-based coolers to place stickers on their bottles in order to avoid giving the impression that they contain vodka or rum.
Sales of imported and craft beers, ciders and similar products remained stable.
With files from the Canadian Press
