COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ The state says it's taken extra steps to stock widely varied brands and packaging at state liquor stores for the holidays.

The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control said in a release Wednesday that 57 holiday gift packs totaling almost 23,000 cases of different types and brands of spirituous liquor have been specially selected for holiday sale at Ohio's 466 contract liquor agencies. That's in addition to the 2,800 items listed for sale at the stores year-round. 

Gift packs can include items besides liquor such as collectible glasses, flasks or decanters.

Annual state liquor sales are on a record-setting pace that's already approaching $1 billion. The division says the holiday season is the liquor business' busiest time of the year, accounting for about 20 percent of annual sales.