Citing Operational Problems, Wegman's Opts Out Of Wine Kiosk Program

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's wine kiosk program has suffered a setback now that Wegman's supermarkets have opted out of the program.

A total of ten Wegman's supermarkets will be opting out of the wine kiosk program – including stores in Warrington, Downingtown and Collegeville -- that's nearly a third of the 32 kiosks currently up and running across Pennsylvania.

"We were experiencing minimal issues with the kiosks that were operating – much like you would see at an ATM machine if you were to visit it during a down time." LCB spokeswoman Stacey Witalec said consumers were also luke warm to the concept.

"Customer acceptance being lower than what they (Wegman's) had hoped – and sales volumes, again, just as low."

The wine kiosks were taken off-line over the Christmas holidays because of machine malfunctions. Witalec says machine problems have been "minimal" since they were turned back on, but the Wegman's letter cites a "significant volume of complaints" on an "ongoing basis."

Witalec says negotiations continue with other retailers to place more kiosks, including 24 Wal-Mart locations, but can't say when they might come on-line.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio