§ 3-5-11. Licensing of chain stores.
(a) Licenses, except retailer’s Class E, Class B, Class B-H, Class B-L, Class B-M, and Class B-V licenses, authorized by this title shall not be granted, issued, or transferred to or for the use of any “chain store organization,” which term shall consist of any chain of retail or wholesale business or business organizations, and more specifically defined herein, including, without limitation, grocery stores, markets, department stores, and convenience stores, as well as retailers of alcoholic beverages, and which include chains in which one or more stores are located outside of the state.
(b) The term “chain store organization” is defined to include, but not limited to:
(1) Any group of one or more holders of Class A liquor licenses who engage in one or more of the following practices with respect to the business conducted under such licenses, either directly or indirectly, or have any direct or indirect beneficial interest in the following practices:
(i) Common, group, centralized or coordinated purchases of wholesale merchandise.
(ii) Common billing or utilization of the services of the same person or the same entity in the management or operation of more than one liquor licensed business.
(iii) Participation in a coordinated or common advertisement with one or more liquor licensed business in any advertising media.
(iv) Coordinated or common planning or implementation of marketing strategies.
(v) Participation in agreed upon or common pricing of products.
(vi) Any term or name identified as a chain or common entity.
(2) Any group of one or more liquor license holders who share any of the following common features, either directly or indirectly or acquire any direct or indirect beneficial interest in the following practices:
(i) The same director of a corporation, member of a LLC, LLP, partner in a general or limited partnership, trustee or beneficiary of a trust.
(ii) The same individual or corporate owners.
(3) Any group of one or more license holders that is found to be a “chain store organization” as a factual matter by the department, as a result of an evidentiary hearing in connection with any application for the issuance, grant or transfer of a license, or upon the filing of a complaint by any member of the public.
(4) Upon a finding of violation of this section, the department shall be empowered to set a fine up to the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violating licensee, revoke the license of the violator, or suspend the license of the violator for a period of time to be determined by the department. Additionally, the department shall issue a cease and desist order against the violating chain store entity(s) and may further order the dissolution of the violating chain store entity(s).
History of Section.P.L. 1933, ch. 2013, § 6; P.L. 1934, ch. 2088, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 163, § 5; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 120; G.L. 1956, § 3-5-11; P.L. 1990, ch. 45, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 421, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 376, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 469, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 3-5 - Licenses Generally
Section 3-5-1. - License required for manufacture, sale, or importation of beverages.
Section 3-5-2. - Local option — Questions put to electors — Petition for election.
Section 3-5-3. - Tabulation of votes.
Section 3-5-4. - Denial of licenses after adverse vote.
Section 3-5-5. - Towns and cities in which licenses authorized.
Section 3-5-6. - Classes of licenses.
Section 3-5-7. - Wholesale and retail sales distinguished.
Section 3-5-8. - Expiration date of licenses.
Section 3-5-9. - Premises covered.
Section 3-5-10. - Residence of licensees and qualifications of persons and corporations as licensee.
Section 3-5-11. - Licensing of chain stores.
Section 3-5-11.1. - Liquor franchises prohibited.
Section 3-5-12. - Licensees to keep or sell legal beverages only — Minimum size of containers.
Section 3-5-13. - Consumption of distilled liquors on premises.
Section 3-5-14. - Licenses issued by department of business regulation.
Section 3-5-14.1. - Licenses issued by the department of business regulation.
Section 3-5-15. - Local licensing authorities.
Section 3-5-16. - Maximum number of licenses.
Section 3-5-16.1. - Revocation of abandoned Class A licenses.
Section 3-5-17. - Notice and hearing on licenses.
Section 3-5-18. - Signature on licenses — Posting and exhibition.
Section 3-5-19. - Transfer or relocation of license.
Section 3-5-20. - Rules and regulations — Notice and procedure.
Section 3-5-20.1. - Manufacturer’s and wholesaler’s licenses — Notice and procedure.
Section 3-5-21. - Revocation or suspension of licenses — Fines for violating conditions of license.
Section 3-5-22. - Reissuance of license after revocation.
Section 3-5-24. - Licensee becoming bail.
Section 3-5-25. - Antiunion discrimination.
Section 3-5-26. - Records of proceedings — Admission in evidence.
Section 3-5-27. - Annual reports.
Section 3-5-28. - Uniform procedures.
Section 3-5-29. - Prohibition against assignment or leasing of license.