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Notes from Behind the Counter
Guides for liquor and convenience store owners, and what's new in Ceyyo. Written by people who run stores.
- Guides
California CRV on beer, wine and spirits: what store owners need to know
California charges CRV of 5 cents on containers under 24 ounces, 10 cents on 24 ounces and up, and 25 cents on wine and spirits in boxes and pouches. Wine and spirits have been covered since January 1, 2024. Here's how to charge it right.
October 23, 2026 · 5 min read - Guides
Checking IDs at a California liquor store: the rules, and how ID scanners help
In California, a store that asks for a real government photo ID, inspects it and reasonably relies on it has a legal defense if the buyer turns out to be under 21. Since January 1, 2026, a scanner that misses a fake ID also counts as evidence, as long as the clerk inspected the ID.
October 23, 2026 · 5 min read - Guides
How to catch distributor price increases before they eat your margin
Compare every invoice line with the last cost you paid, and reprice the same week. Here's why cost increases slip past liquor and convenience store owners, what one missed increase costs, and how to check invoices fast.
October 23, 2026 · 4 min read - Guides
How to choose a POS for a liquor or convenience store: 10 questions to ask
Ten questions to ask any POS company before you sign, from EBT, CRV and ID scanning to invoice reading, card fees, contracts and who picks up the phone.
October 23, 2026 · 5 min read - Guides
Mix and match deals that actually move product
Multi-buy prices, percent off, dollars off and buy-more-save deals: which ones work in a liquor or convenience store, how to keep your margin, and how to set them up so cashiers never have to remember.
October 23, 2026 · 4 min read