NSLC Reports Decline in Alcohol Sales and Rise in Cannabis Revenue for Q1 2026
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation reported a 1.7% drop in alcohol sales and an 11.2% increase in cannabis sales for the first quarter ending June 28, 2026. Despite nearly flat total sales, earnings fell by 6.8% due to rising labour and technology costs.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) has released its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, covering the period from April 1 to June 28, 2026. The report highlights a shift in consumer spending patterns, with alcoholic beverage sales declining while cannabis sales experienced significant growth.
Alcoholic drink sales totalled $182.6 million, representing a 1.7 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year. Conversely, cannabis sales reached $36.8 million, marking an 11.2 per cent increase year-over-year. To support this growth in the cannabis sector, the NSLC added 33 new cannabis cabinets to its retail outlets during the quarter to expand access for customers.
Despite the divergence in category performance, total sales for the quarter remained relatively stable at $219.4 million, a slight increase of 0.2 per cent from the previous year. However, the corporation’s bottom line faced pressure. Total earnings dropped by 6.8 per cent compared to last year, settling at $62 million for the quarter. The NSLC attributed this decline in profitability to increased labour costs and expenses related to new technology investments aimed at modernizing business operations.
The report also provided specific details on regional and international product performance. Sales of Nova Scotian drinks totalled $26.1 million, which was a 5.1 per cent drop. Additionally, just over $1.8 million worth of U.S. products were sold during the quarter, with no new imports being made during this period.