BI Asks TTB: Who Should Pay for Kroger/Southern Catman Program?

Dear Client:Last month we reported that NBWA chief Craig Purser wrote the federal Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administrator, John Manfreda, requesting "clarification on category management" in light of Kroger's recently communicated catman program to be managed by Southern Wine & Spirits [see BBD 11-17-2015]. Craig brought up potential trade practice law violations. "We believe the category management plan being mandated by Kroger raises serious compliance issues and, as implemented, likely violates both state and federal laws," Craig wrote.