Nick Fede Jr., Director, Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative.

By Nick Fede, Jr., Director, Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative

Retail shops in all industries are the businesses that interact with the public the most. As a beverage alcohol retailer, my favorite part of my daily duties is customer service. Having a positive impact on a consumer’s experience—whether it’s a simple conversation of pleasantries or an in-depth deep dive on the nuances of single-barrel bourbon—is one of the most rewarding parts of being in business. Unfortunately, not all customer interactions are positive.

Beverage alcohol retailers, both on- and off-premise, face daily challenges when serving customers. We are the gatekeepers of ensuring that beverage alcohol—lest we forget, an age-restricted intoxicating substance—gets to the public in a safe, responsible manner. There are, of course, the obvious tests. Fake IDs, which are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, continue to be presented by underage individuals. Furthermore, determining if a consumer is fit to be sold alcohol leaves so much responsibility up to the server or clerk. Thankfully, our employees go through rigorous alcohol server training to give them the tools to be successful in this endeavor.

But what about issues that aren’t quite so straightforward that continue to be on the rise? I’m talking about theft and retail fraud. As I first reported in my column in June’s edition of The Beverage Journal, retail theft continues to be on the rise, not only in Rhode Island but across the country. Our national association, American Beverage Licensees, focused on the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act during the last Congress, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Seth Magaziner. We look forward to the bill’s reintroduction this year.

Having a directive from Washington, D.C., would be wonderful, but what systems do we already have in place locally to help Rhode Island Class A Alcohol Retailers right here and right now?

RILOC REPORT is an active WhatsApp group for store owners and managers to report retail theft and fraud in real time. We have been successful numerous times over the past two years in assisting law enforcement with cases involving organized theft.

Most recently, an array of fraudulent bills were passed at numerous package liquor stores throughout the metro Providence area. Store owners, using the compiled information shared within RILOC REPORT, are still collaborating with law enforcement across four different municipalities in hopes of catching the suspect. I am hopeful that because of all this teamwork, a successful outcome will be had. RILOC REPORT is available to any retailer wishing to participate. Inquire with us today if you have yet to sign up; you are not alone in your battles.

And just like that, the 2025 Rhode Island Legislative Session is now in full swing. It is important to stay plugged in and attentive to our digital newsletters, as legislation can arise and begin to move quickly. Many pieces of legislation can have a severe negative impact on your business; when called upon, it is imperative to show up at the State House and make our voices heard in a professional, cohesive and civil manner. Swift action is often needed on short notice and it is most important to be mindful of RILOC newsletters arriving in your inbox. If you’re not already subscribed, please reach out to us today at RILiquorOperatorsCollaborative@gmail.com.

Finally, I am pleased to announce the date of the third annual RILOC Golf Classic. On June 2, we’ll be returning to the Cranston Country Club for a day filled with camaraderie and brand education. We look forward to welcoming guests from across our industry’s three tiers, as well as individuals from outside the industry. Please stay tuned as we announce more RILOC events and meetings for the first half of this year.

Nick Fede Jr. serves as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative and is a third-generation liquor retailer.