Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Unveils New, More Customer-Friendly Prototype Store in Bucks County

NEW HOPE, Pa., July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today unveiled its new Fine Wine & Good Spirits store at 6542 J Lower York Road in New Hope, Bucks County, as part of its effort to enhance the shopping experience for its customers.

The new store, with a unique floor plan designed in response to customer feedback, features a central service point at which customers can find assistance, taste products, browse featured items and make purchases. It also offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for customers to explore educational materials on wine and spirits.

"Customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities and we strive to provide the best retail experience possible," said Chairman Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton. "Our new open floor plan will encourage our customers to browse the wide selection, compare products easily and discover new favorites. As always, the on-site wine specialists will be available to help customers meet their unique entertaining needs."

The focal point of the new store is a center table, where consumers can always find staff to answer questions or provide guidance. The center table, equipped with a tasting bar and spacious counters for highlighting new products and featured selections, provides a gathering place for consumers to learn about products and find recommendations. The educational materials provide information such as:

• Frequently Asked Questions about wine and spirits;
• a vintage chart;
• a food pairing outline;
• party planning guide;
• calorie chart; and
• tips for responsible hosting and consumption.  

An easy-to-use overview of the most popular wines and spirits will help consumers navigate the many choices. Staff will also provide their own recommendations to consumers based on their years of experience.

"This project is the result of our customers' suggestions," said PLCB board member Tom Goldsmith. "People continually told us they wanted a more welcoming experience in our stores—one that would encourage them to browse more, learn about new products and enjoy the shopping experience more thoroughly. We believe this store achieves that goal."

Throughout the design and construction, the PLCB has been committed to developing a store that is attractive and environmentally responsible. The majority of the lighting is state-of-the-art LED or energy-efficient compact-fluorescent lighting, using a fraction of the energy of traditional lighting. The store will sell reusable bags for the first time in the agency's history and will do away with plastic bags in favor of paper, a renewable resource.

The New Hope project began in 2008 as one aspect of the PLCB's comprehensive effort to become a more consumer-focused retail business. It is one of three Fine Wine & Good Spirits prototype stores that will open in the next few months.  The other two prototype stores will be located in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The PLCB will study the impact of the store redesign on the customer experience before expanding the initiative statewide.  

"Consumer feedback will be critical to the success of this rebranding effort," said PLCB board member Bob Marcus. "As we review consumer response to each of our new stores, we'll be better able to determine if this design meets their needs or if additional modifications are necessary."

The Liquor Control Board has embarked on a systematic business plan to make the 75-year-old agency more consumer-focused. The plan includes initiatives to improve the consumer store experience; enhance training for Board employees; boost returns to the state General Fund; assure and promote responsible use of alcohol through regulation and education; and take advantage of new technology.

Media contact: Stacey Witalec or Stacy Kriedeman, 717-783-8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board