Selling alcohol can be very profitable for convenience stores, and it can also be very risky. If you or one of your staff members fails to sell alcohol responsibly and according to the law, there can be serious consequences. People could being injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents. Your operation could be fined, sued, or shut down. As a manager, you can be held personally liable, and in some cases, so can your staff.
How to Sell Alcohol Responsibly
As a convenience store manager, you have a legal obligation to ensure everyone on your staff knows how to sell alcohol responsibly. This involves three critical components:
#1 – Develop and Enforce a Written Alcohol Sales Policy
As with everything that involves safety and compliance, you must have a clearly written policy that describes exactly what is expected of your staff. Federal and local laws will set the standard on what you need to do to sell alcohol responsibly, but don’t stop there. Be specific about what your store’s rules are regarding alcohol selling hours, ID checking requirements, employee responsibilities, and customer safety.
#2 Know the Law
Alcohol sales are regulated by federal, state, and local laws. The National Uniform Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required states to set the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol at 21. States and local municipalities often have additional regulations that alcohol sellers must follow. Many states have what are commonly referred to as “dram shop” laws which can hold businesses and sellers of alcohol liable when they sell to minors or intoxicated customers who later cause death, injury, or property damage. If you’re not sure what the laws are where you operate, consult an attorney.
#3 Train Your Employees
Many states require compliance training for anyone who sells or serves alcohol. Some even require special licensing of alcohol sellers and servers. Even if your state laws are more lax, training is a critical component to any alcohol sales program. When your employees are trained to sell alcohol responsibly, they can make decisions that protect customers, the business, and themselves. Online responsible alcohol sales and service training is easy to implement and allows you to track who has completed the training and who is due for a refresher course.
Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Training Program for Convenience Stores
Training is the key to ensuring everyone on your staff knows how to sell alcohol responsibly and according to the law. Ready Training Online’s Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Training Program includes real-world selling and serving examples to help your employees understand and implement what they learn. Click here for more information and watch a preview below.
