Until March 1994, Alberta liquor distribution was handled entirely by the Alberta provincial government, through the Alberta Liquor Control Board.

In June 1994, liquor distribution in Alberta was privatized. Prior to privatization, there were only 204 government owned and operated liquor stores in Alberta. Since that time, the number of licensed retail outlets in Alberta has grown to over 1100.

The Alberta liquor industry is regulated by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). To buy alcohol products for resale of any kind in Alberta, you must be licensed by AGLC.

Connect Logistics Services is the sole liquor distribution agent authorized by AGLC to distribute spirits, wine, coolers, and imported beer to Licensed Buyers in Alberta. Instead of buying liquor products from independent wholesalers, retail liquor licensees in Alberta must order their liquor products through Connect Logistics Services.

Domestic beer is the only adult beverage product not handled by Connect Logistics Services. Licensed Buyers order domestic beer from the domestic beer distributors set up for those purposes. 

Unlike more traditional wholesalers, Connect Logistics Services does not buy or take possession of any product. Instead, liquor suppliers and agents continue to own their product until it is sold.

Suppliers and agents have sole discretion over which products they stock. They can also allocate their products to specified licensees within the parameters of the AGLC Allocation Policy.

Once product is received, Connect Logistics Services processes orders from all liquor retail outlets and other licensed establishments in the Province of Alberta. These licensees can place orders through fax, phone, or via Liquorconnect.com, a dedicated on-line liquor ordering and tracking system. When product is sold, the supplier/agent receives payment directly from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

Connect Logistics Services’ clean, state-of-the art warehousing system is designed to provide rapid, accurate order processing.