MN Consumers First Alliance Launches "Why Not Sundays?" Campaign in Support of Sunday Sales

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The MN Consumers First Alliance, a coalition supporting Sunday sales of wine, beer and spirits, launched a statewide campaign – "Why Not Sundays?" – to promote legislative passage of Sunday sales in stores in Minnesota.

Minnesota is one of only 12 states in the country that still prohibit the sale of wine, beer and spirits in stores on Sundays. Minnesota enacted this law back in 1935 – two years after Prohibition ended in the United States. This law is out of date and out of touch with today's consumer shopping preferences.

"The reality is that people's schedules vary in today's economy," said Paige Calhoun, a spokesperson with the MN Consumers First Alliance. "We don't all work the same hours and, for many consumers, Sunday is the most convenient shopping day of the week. It's time for our elected officials to put an end to this silly prohibition and allow Minnesotans the convenience of purchasing wine, beer and spirits on Sundays just like other items."

In addition to being bad for consumers, prohibiting Sunday sales is also bad for Minnesota stores, particularly those located in border communities. "It is rather ironic that Minnesota, which has always prided itself on being progressive and forward thinking, is surrounded by states that allow Sunday sales," said Calhoun. "We like to joke that our neighbors are behind the times, but they are giving consumers the freedom to shop for wine, beer and spirits when it's most convenient for them and are benefiting from tax revenue that belongs in Minnesota. By not allowing Sunday sales, the joke is on us."

The "Why Not Sundays" initiative is designed to reach Minnesota consumers through a digital and social media campaign, mailings and retail store materials. One of the creative tools of the campaign is a hilarious two-minute video – "5 Totally Ridiculous Laws" – that features 'person on the street' reactions to five outdated and forgotten laws and ordinances (www.whynotsundays.org). In addition to the 1935 law that prohibits Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits in Minnesota, the video reveals that men in Brainerd are required to have beards, it is against the law to tease skunks, people can't let pets sleep in bakeries in Duluth and it is against the law to eat hamburgers on Sundays in St. Cloud.

The Alliance points out that a majority of Minnesotans agree that it's time for a change. A 2014 KSTP/SurveyUSA poll found that 62 percent of Minnesotans support legalizing Sunday sales. The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services' annual State Fair poll in 2014 found that 64 percent of Minnesotans support allowing Sunday sales.

Additionally, the MN Consumers First Alliance, in a February statewide survey, asked the following question – "Generally, do you favor or oppose the concept of allowing liquor stores to sell to consumers on Sundays?"  Among those who shop for beer, wine or spirits a couple of times per month or more, the survey found that 77% support allowing Sunday sales, while 15% do not.

Support for Sunday sales at the Capitol has bipartisan backing from legislators and Governor Mark Dayton.

The MN Consumers First Alliance is a broad-based group of enlightened Minnesotans and companies that support pro-consumer policies and competition rather than protecting the liquor industry's self-interests. Supporters of the coalition are committed to meeting and exceeding consumer expectations and to supporting competition.

For more information, please visit www.whynotsundays.org.

SOURCE MN Consumers First Alliance

Related Links

http://www.whynotsundays.org