The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has officially put a cork in its wine kiosk program.

The state began selling wine via automated kiosks throughout supermarkets last year in hopes of improving customer convenience and increasing revenues to state government.

The kiosks did neither, according to the results of a recent audit by Jack Wagner, Pennsylvania's auditor general. He recommended the state pull the plug on the program. According to Wagner, as of June 30, 2011, the PLCB spent more to operate the kiosks than it took in, resulting in an operating shortfall of $1.12 million, mostly due from operational issues.

According to Penn Live, the board is taking Wagner's advice, cancelling the project with Simple Brands L.L.C., the company that was supposed to provide the kiosks at no cost to the state. The LCB contends it was to be reimbursed for any expenses it incurred, such as for stocking or wiring the kiosks.

That has not happened, according to the liquor control board. Simple Brands has claimed, however, that the state agency incurred unnecessary expenses and improperly billed them to Simple Brands.

Tags: Customer Experience, Kiosk Design, Wine Kiosk, Vending Kiosk