Government delivers choice and convenience for consumers
NORTH YORK - The government of Ontario is putting people first and improving choice and convenience for consumers by expanding sales of beverage alcohol to nearly 300 new retail outlets across Ontario - many opening this summer, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance, announced today. These stores will provide new economic opportunities for businesses across the province, while offering local craft brewers and wineries with greater reach and visibility.
"Whether driving to the cottage or running errands, consumers across Ontario will now have more places to pick up beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages," said Minister Fedeli. "Our government is committed to delivering greater choice and convenience to individuals and families, and this expansion is just the beginning."
Ontario is allowing 87 more grocery stores across the province to sell wine, beer and cider, bringing the total number of grocery store authorizations to 450. New grocers will be able to start selling wine, beer and cider starting in September.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is also expanding its agency store program to approximately 200 new underserved communities, with up to 60 stores expected to open in August. Up to150 new locations are expected to open by December 2019, with additional stores opening in spring 2020. These new locations will now be called "LCBO Convenience Outlets" to help consumers easily identify local alcohol retailers in their community that offer a similar product assortment as LCBO stores.
"LCBO Convenience Outlets provide socially responsible access to beverage alcohol products from Ontario and around the world, and this expansion, along with the increased number of grocery outlets, is a welcomed opportunity to provide greater accessibility and convenience to our valued customers across the province," said George Soleas, President & CEO, LCBO.
"By opening up more alcohol retail outlets across the province, we are not only making life easier for people, we are enabling growth and job creation in the province's booming beer and wine industry," said Minister Fedeli. "Our government's Open for Business, Open for Jobs approach is about promoting competition, and establishing fairness for everyone, from our small craft brewers, cider and wine producers, to the large beer producers."
Ontario's Government for the People respects adult consumers by trusting them to make responsible choices that work for them. Enabling nearly 300 additional stores to sell alcohol is a first step in delivering choice, convenience and fairness, while discussions with industry are underway to expand alcohol sales into corner stores, big-box stores and even more grocery stores.
Source : Ontario.ca