MONTREAL, Dec. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - For the second quarter of its 2025-2026 fiscal year, which ended on September 13, 2025, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) has reported net income of $336.5 million, a slight $1.3 million or 0.4% decrease from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.

Results in brief

• Overall dollar sales rose 0.4% to $950.3 million. At 50.7 million litres, volume sales were down 4%.
• Sales in the SAQ's store and specialized centre network were up $14.3 million or 1.6%, compared with the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year, while the related volume sales dropped 0.6 million litres or 1.3%.
• Dollar sales in the wholesale grocer network decreased $10.7 million or 14.8%, compared with the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year, with the related volume sales falling 1.5 million litres or 20%.
• Government revenues totalled $624 million, an $8 million decrease from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year. The amounts payable to the Quebec treasury totalled $507 million, with another $117 million destined for the federal government.
• In a constantly changing environment marked by declining sales, the SAQ continues to implement initiatives aimed at supporting its performance while maintaining rigorous cost management adapted to sales.

Detailed results

Store and specialized centre network (permit holders, agency stores and other customers) 

• Dollar sales in this network totalled $888.7 million, a $14.3 million or 1.6% increase.
• Volume sales fell 0.6 million litres or 1.3% to 44.7 million litres.
• Totalling $20.8 million and accounting for 2.9% of consumer sales, online sales were up 4.5% from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.
• The value of consumers' average shopping cart increased 2.4%, going from $62.09 to $63.58.
• For consumer sales overall, the average per-litre sales price rose to $21.20, compared with $20.67 for the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.

Wholesale grocer network

• Dollar sales in this network fell $10.7 million or 14.8% to $61.6 million.
• Volumes sales totalled 6 million litres, compared with 7.5 million litres for the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year a 1.5 million litre or 20% decrease.
• Sales made to the wholesale grocer network vary from quarter to quarter based on the sequencing of their orders. This accounts for the fluctuations seen from the corresponding quarter of the preceding fiscal year.
• It should be noted that the SAQ acts as a wholesaler to the Quebec grocery and convenience store network. Consequently, the sales made in this network do not necessarily correspond to the sales these establishments made to consumers.

Net expenses

• Net expenses totalled $149 million, compared with $136.4 million in the equivalent quarter of fiscal 2024-2025. Excluding non-recurring expenses related to the modernization of the curbside recycling system, which are estimated at $12.6 million, net expenses remained stable on a comparable basis.
• Also on a comparable basis and expressed as a percentage of sales, the ratio of net expenses to sales was 14.5% versus 14.4% for the same quarter of the preceding fiscal year. If the non-recurring expenses related to the modernization of the curbside recycling system are included, the ratio is 15.7%.

The SAQ's quarterly financial results, including the sales and expense trends for the last five years, will be found in its Q2 financial report (in French only).

Kennesaw, GA – (December 8, 2025) – AeriTek today announced the expansion of its North American foodservice leadership team with the appointments of Sean McGrann as VP of Sales, Foodservice North America, and Anthony Tortoriello as Director of Sales US & Canada, Foodservice. Together, they will advance AeriTek’s position as a leading provider of high-performance refrigeration, merchandising, and foodservice equipment supporting operators across the continent.

McGrann will oversee the overall foodservice growth strategy, guiding national and regional programs across AeriTek’s full portfolio. Tortoriello will lead day-to-day sales execution and operator engagement, focusing on scalable, reliability-driven equipment solutions that strengthen uptime, enhance food safety, and reduce total cost-of-ownership.

“I’m excited to help operators strengthen performance and simplify the way they work,” said Anthony Tortoriello, Director of Sales, Foodservice. “With a versatile North American–made portfolio, short lead times, and products ready to ship today, AeriTek gives teams the reliability and efficiency they need right now. Add in low cost of ownership, excellent post-sales support, and an easy partnership experience, and operators can move forward with confidence knowing we’re built to keep their business running.”

Tortoriello will work closely with foodservice rep groups, consultants, dealers, and specifiers involved in designing all segments of foodservice operations, as well as national and local food equipment dealers who deliver these solutions. His focus is to ensure every partnership reflects the realities of modern foodservice, including high-velocity production, strict safety requirements, complex labor environments, and growing energy pressures.

AeriTek gives operators a single, unified partner across foodservice, refrigeration, and merchandising, delivering performance advantages that individual manufacturers cannot match. Its globally trusted brands provide end-to-end solutions that span food preparation, processing, cooling, and merchandising, supported by the manufacturing scale required for consistent multi-site execution. Together, the portfolio is built to uphold high-velocity production, reliable product presentation, and the day-to-day operational demands of modern foodservice.

Imbera

• Merchandising refrigeration & freezers
• Stainless steel back-of-house refrigeration
• Storage refrigerators and freezers
• Refrigerated pizza prep tables
• Refrigerated sandwich prep tables
• Undercounter stainless units

Torrey

• Meat grinders
• Meat slicers
• Bone saws and butchering saws
• Weighing scales
• Deli display cases

Minus Forty

• High-performance technology enabled coolers and freezers
• Open-air coolers

QBD

• Dependable merchandising coolers for retail and foodservice operations

“As operator demands evolve, they need equipment that works harder, lasts longer, and supports consistent performance across every environment,” said Sean McGrann, VP of Sales, Foodservice North America. “Anthony’s expertise and customer-first mindset make him an exceptional addition to our team. His experience in national foodservice equipment programs will help operators achieve greater reliability, temperature stability, and streamlined deployment at scale.”

AeriTek’s integrated portfolio and expanding leadership team reinforce the company’s commitment to helping operators optimize merchandising, reduce downtime, and achieve predictable, long-term performance across every foodservice environment.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Hickory Bourbon (Old Hickory) announced the launch of its Hermitage Reserve 12-year-old Rye and 15-year-old Barrel Proof Whiskey releases today, inviting both collectors and new fans to experience the fullest depth of American whiskey. These age-stated bottles, crafted and rooted in over 150 years of tradition, demonstrate the brand's ability to continue thriving in the face of industry shifts and uncertainties.

After its founding in 1868 in Fayette County, Ky., Old Hickory outlived Prohibition and was revived by Publicker Distilling Co. in 1933; it was later purchased by R.S. Lipman Company in 2011.

"We know our fans want something with history and true depth," said Trisha Cancilla, vice president of marketing and brand strategy at Lipman Brothers and R.S. Lipman Company. "Our new 12 and 15-year-old releases bring the best of Old Hickory's tradition straight to your glass. We take great pride in the time and skill poured into every barrel. Each release reflects our belief that great bourbon is earned, not rushed."

The Old Hickory Hermitage Reserve 15-year-old Barrel Proof Whiskey greets you with bold aromas of butterscotch, cake batter and toasted marshmallow. The first sip reveals sweet spice and layers of brown sugar, leaving a long finish filled with hints of butter and waffle cone.

The Hermitage Reserve 12-year-old Straight Rye Bottled in Bond continues the line's reputation for rich taste and full-bodied character, featuring notes of caramel and vanilla, with aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon and mint. Both releases are crafted with patience and heritage, highlighting the careful work that sets Old Hickory Bourbon apart.

Old Hickory isn't stopping here. The new bottles join a family of standout releases, including Old Hickory White Label Straight Bourbon, Old Hickory Blended Whiskey and the limited-edition Hermitage Reserve 10-year-old Barrel Proof Whiskey. These bottlings are designed for both collectors and the curious, making their mark on a bourbon market where rarity, flavor and brand story hold more weight than ever.

"For us, whiskey is more than a drink; it's a legacy," Cancilla said. "These new releases are our answer to the call for quality and story, shared across the table and over the years."

For questions or more information about Old Hickory Bourbon, contact us at

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - In response to Bill 11, which amends various provisions primarily for the purpose of reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, representatives of the spirits industry and the food retail sector welcome the government's willingness to simplify the regulatory framework, but deplore the fact that their request to expand the sale of ready-to-drink spirits in supermarkets and convenience stores was not accepted.

Currently, only spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages must be sold at the SAQ, while malt, wine, and cider-based beverages, despite having comparable alcohol content, are available in grocery stores and convenience stores.

This arbitrary distinction, based solely on the manufacturing process, deprives consumers of fair access and creates a major competitive distortion at the expense of spirits producers. Therefore, Spirits Canada, the Union québécoise des microdistilleries (UQMD), the Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec (ADA), and the Retail Council of Canada – Quebec (RCC) are asking the Quebec government to promptly rectify this situation.

Clear support from Quebecers

A recent Léger poll¹ conducted on behalf of Spirits Canada reveals overwhelming support among Quebecers for the sale of ready-to-drink spirit-based beverages in grocery stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Among consumers of these products, 91% of regular consumers and 77% of occasional consumers say they are in favour of this change.

"The message from Quebecers is very clear: they want choice, consistency, and fairness," said Cedric Salibi, Senior Vice President, Policy and Analytics at Spirits Canada. The alcohol content of ready-to-drink spirit-based beverages is comparable to that of other alcohol-based beverages and offers unparalleled diversity. It is time to modernize outdated regulations and allow the sale of ready-to-drink spirit-based beverages in grocery stores and convenience stores in Quebec." 

A fair measure to support local producers

The UQMD supports this reform, which would strengthen Quebec's domestic spirits sector and contribute directly to the economic vitality of the regions.

"According to a study² conducted earlier this year by the UQMD, the sale of ready-to-drink beverages in grocery stores and convenience stores would generate $15.1 million in additional revenue for our members," says its president, Nicolas Bériault. However, at present, ready-to-drink beverages with the same alcohol content are sold through two different sales channels simply because some are spirit-based and others are malt- or wine-based. It makes no sense: consumers buy a container and an alcohol content, not a list of ingredients. This kind of regulatory easing would offer a great opportunity to modernize an outdated law in our sector."

Strong support from the distribution sector

In addition to the UQMD, the two main retail trade associations have expressed their support for expanding their offerings to include ready-to-drink spirit-based beverages, in the same way as other categories of ready-to-drink beverages.

"Quebecers' shopping habits have changed over the past few years; this is the natural evolution of a vibrant market," explains Michel Rochette, President of the Retail Council of Canada - Quebec. The spirits segment has grown significantly, both in terms of quality and reputation, in Quebec and elsewhere in the country. In this context, it is only natural that grocery store offerings should adapt as well. The arrival of ready-to-drink spirit-based beverages would be a logical development of the current offering and would help to rectify a situation that has become difficult to justify.

Pierre-Alexandre Blouin, president and CEO of the ADA, is delighted that Quebecers are open to expanding the sales networks for these products. "If there is one type of business that listens to its customers' needs, it is grocery stores. The survey conducted for Spirits Canada confirms that consumers want greater and more convenient access to these ready-to-drink beverages, and as local stores, grocery stores are ideally suited to meet this demand."

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¹ Omnibus survey conducted online between September 12 and 14, 2025, among 1,072 Quebecers aged 18 and older.  The results were weighted according to age, gender, region, mother tongue, education, and household composition to ensure a representative sample. For information purposes, the maximum margin of error for a sample of 1,072 respondents is ±3%, 19 times out of 20.

² Doucet, E., & Laurin, F. (2025). Strategic Industry Diagnostic Report on Québec's Microdistilleries.