Editing Alko (section)

== History ==
[[File:Alkoholiliike, Museokatu 10 - N210075 - hkm.HKMS000005-000001o1.jpg|thumb|''Alkoholiliike'' store in 1952, Helsinki]]
From 1919 to 1932, the distribution and consumption of [[alcoholic beverage]]s was forbidden in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|title=5 April 2011 – On this day in history: Prohibition ended in Finland, 1932|url=http://modernhistorian.blogspot.com/2011/04/on-this-day-in-history-prohibition.html|work=The Modern Historian Blog|accessdate=13 September 2013}}</ref> When the prohibition was lifted by the [[Government of Finland|Finnish government]] in 1932 following a [[1931 Finnish prohibition referendum|referendum]], they created a company called ''Oy Alkoholiliike Ab'' which was fully owned by the government.

The first stores were opened on 5 April 1932.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tällainen on Alkon uusi tiskimyymälä – muistatko, kuinka viinakaupassa ennen asioitiin? 'Löytyisikö teiltä Erkin pikakivääriä?' |last=Halonen |first=Antti |work=Ilta-Sanomat |date=22 September 2017 |access-date=24 August 2021 |url= https://www.is.fi/ruokala/ajankohtaista/art-2000005378232.html |language=fi }}</ref>

During the 1939–40 [[Winter War]] the company mass-produced [[molotov cocktail]]s for the [[Finnish military]], production totalling 450,000 units.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Molotov Cocktail: One Cocktail You Don't Want To Drink|url=http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/the-molotov-cocktail-one-cocktail-you-dont-want-to-drink.html|work=War History Online.com|accessdate=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522180151/http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/the-molotov-cocktail-one-cocktail-you-dont-want-to-drink.html|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status = dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Between 1944 and 1970, Alko used the [[Bratt System]] from Sweden to control alcohol consumption, using a booklet called ''viinakortti'' whereby all alcohol sales were recorded and stamped into said booklet. Once a certain amount of alcohol was purchased, the owner of said booklet had to wait until next month to buy more.

In 1969 the company's name was changed to ''Oy Alko Ab''. This company not only distributed, but also imported and manufactured alcohol.

Between 1962 and 1998, Alko stores gradually switched from desk service (where customers asked shop attendants to retrieve products for them) to self-service.<ref>{{cite book|last=Häikiö|first=Martti|title=Alkon historia: Valtion alkoholiliike kieltolain kumoamisesta Euroopan Unionin kilpailupolitiikkaan 1932–2006|location=Helsinki|publisher=Otava|year=2007|page=247|language=fi|isbn=9789511213109}}</ref>
[[Image:Alko.png|thumb|Alko's previous logo, used until 2007]]

In 1995, when Finland joined the EU, the monopolies in production and import had to be lifted. Thus, the corporation was separated into ''Alko'' (distribution), ''Primalco'' (production of alcohol) and ''Havistra'' (bulk sales), which together formed the ''Altia Group''; only Alko retained a monopoly.

In 1998, Alko was [[Spin-off (corporate)|spun off]] entirely from the Altia Group, which was reorganized later to form [[Altia|Altia Oyj]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} While Altia Oyj and Alko remain legally separate, Alko is the major customer of Altia's products.

The history of Alko is presented at the [[Hotel and Restaurant Museum]] in Helsinki.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hotel and Restaurant Museum |url=http://www.hotellijaravintolamuseo.fi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030226172414/http://www.hotellijaravintolamuseo.fi/ |url-status = dead|archive-date=2003-02-26 }}</ref>

From 10 June 2024, the maximum alcohol level which retailers could freely sell alcoholic beverages changed from 5.5% to 8% ABV. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Parliament to meet into July; votes on climate interpellation and alcohol law |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20092358 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=YLE News |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Aalto University students queueing to Otaniemi Alko.jpg|thumb|right|The Alko branch in [[Otaniemi]], [[Espoo]] opened in September 2018, which led to students from [[Aalto University]] trying to buy its entire supply already on opening day.<ref>Jokinen, Pauliina: [https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000005807716.html Teekkarit uhkaavat juoda Alkon tyhjäksi Otaniemessä – Alkon liiketoimintajohtajakin tulee myyntiavuksi: "Tarjoilemme alkoholittomia juomia"], ''[[Helsingin Sanomat]]'' 29 August 2018. Accessed on 29 January 2021.</ref>]]