TORONTO — As the final step in the government’s plan to give people in Ontario more choice and convenience, all licensed grocery stores and big-box grocery stores are now able to sell beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
“We promised to give the people of Ontario choice and convenience when buying and selling alcoholic beverages and with today’s expansion, we got it done,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This last phase of expansion will create new opportunities for retailers of all sizes and for Ontario producers of beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink beverages. I hope everyone gets the chance to pick up one of these fantastic Ontario-made products and enjoy responsibly!”
The Ontario government has delivered on its commitment to expand the province’s alcohol beverage marketplace earlier than planned. Now, every licensed convenience, grocery and big-box grocery store in Ontario is able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages if they choose to do so. The phased expansion began in the summer:
As of July 18, 2024, up to 450 grocery stores licensed to sell beer, cider or wine are able to sell ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
As of September 5, 2024, all eligible convenience stores are able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
As of October 31, 2024, all eligible grocery and big-box grocery stores are able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
With this rollout, the government has made Ontario’s alcohol beverage marketplace more convenient for consumers. Retailers and businesses have more control over if, how and when they want to sell these kinds of beverages.
"Today's expansion fulfills our government's commitment to provide Ontarians with the same choices and convenience available to people across Canada. This marks a significant milestone for both grocery retailers and consumers as we continue to modernize Ontario's alcohol marketplace,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Our vision for a better market has become a reality with the support of retailers, domestic producers and workers in the alcohol industry, as well as the people and businesses across the province."
To help consumers find local retailers and producers, the province launched an interactive map that allows users to search for open retailers. This includes over 1,000 local Ontario breweries, wineries, wine shops and distilleries, as well as other outlets like LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store and licensed grocery stores offering a variety of Ontario-made and imported products. The map also includes locations where they can return empty alcoholic beverage containers in exchange for a deposit.
Along with permitting the sale of ready-to-drink beverages and large pack sizes of beer in licensed grocery stores, the government has permanently provided more flexibility for how alcohol can be displayed, subject to certain limits. Additionally, to assist bars and restaurants with inventory management, the government has permanently allowed the transfer of wine and spirits between locations owned by the same entity or affiliated licensees.
The government will maintain close collaboration with the LCBO, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and The Beer Store, while also consulting with industry partners, local beverage alcohol producers and other stakeholders as it implements this new marketplace.
Quick Facts
As of late October, approximately 4,700 convenience stores and 850 grocery stores including big box grocery stores are licenced to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
The government is investing $10 million over five years to support social responsibility and public health efforts to ensure alcohol continues to be sold and consumed safely in the expanded marketplace. The funding is on top of the additional $396 million announced in this year’s budget, building on the existing historic investment of $3.8 billion over 10 years for mental health and addictions services.
The government is supporting local economic development by directing the LCBO to promote and prioritize small and Ontario-made products.
As part of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales, approximately 8,500 eligible convenience grocery and big-box grocery stores in Ontario could be licensed to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, marking the largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience in the province’s beverage alcohol marketplace since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago.
The government will be conducting a targeted review of taxes, mark-ups and fees on beer, wine and alcohol beverages, with the aim of promoting a more competitive marketplace for producers and consumers. This review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Quotes
"The Retail Council of Canada lauds Ontario for making it easier to retail alcohol beverages, allowing stores like Costco to participate in the market. This is a major step forward, as the participation of grocery stores is important to encouraging diversity of the sale of local growers’ wines and locally produced craft beer. We look forward to continued conversations with the government to build a system that supports an Ontario where every grocer is able to sell alcohol beverages in stores."
- Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO, Retail Council of Canada
"Wine Growers Ontario welcomes the opportunity to support greater customer convenience, which allows access to great Ontario-made wine in convenience and grocery stores. We are committed to working with the government and all stakeholders to make this a success for customers and retailers and ensure the domestic wine industry reaches its full potential."
- Aaron Dobbin
President and CEO Wine Growers Ontario
"Allowing consumers to buy locally made Ready-to-Drink beverages at additional grocery stores is a game changer for the rapidly growing RTD industry in Ontario. Today’s news means it will now be easier for consumers to find locally made craft cocktails on store shelves. That is why this change is so important. Allowing RTDs to be sold at grocery stores and convenience stores right across the province, in addition to the LCBO, provides small Ontario businesses like ours with the chance to reach our consumers, grow our businesses and create more local jobs in communities across the province. We are grateful for this new opportunity and what it can mean for Ontario consumers and our sector."
- Natasha Fritzley
Chair, Ontario Craft RTD Coalition
"As the voice of craft beer in Ontario, we have long called for more opportunities for consumers to be able to find, buy and enjoy locally made craft beer on local shelves. That is why we are thrilled by today’s news that craft beer lovers can now find our products at more grocery stores across Ontario. And because of the government’s focus on supporting local, at least 20 per cent of products will be from local producers in communities right across this province which is great news for these small businesses. We sincerely applaud the government for expanding choice and convenience for consumers and look forward to working with them on additional measures to ensure local craft breweries can invest, grow and succeed in the new marketplace."
- Scott Simmons
President, Ontario Craft Brewers
"Grape Growers of Ontario welcomes the expansion of retail sales to big box stores. More Ontario grown VQA wine on the grocery shelf in front of more Ontario consumers at more locations should mean more choice and convenience for customers and more Ontario grapes purchased to make that wine."
- Debbie Zimmerman
CEO, Grape Growers of Ontario
"With over 60 cideries and more than 40 rural farm markets producing craft cider, Ontario's cider sector has been steadily gaining traction over the past 25 years and holds significant potential to rival the popularity of Ontario’s renowned craft beer and wine industries. Despite the growth, there remains a vital opportunity to enhance consumer awareness regarding the unique qualities of craft cider and to highlight why Ontario's craft cider stands out as a superior choice. Only ciders made with 100 per cent Ontario-grown apples carry the Drink Ontario Apples trademark. This symbol guarantees that the cider you are enjoying is made in Ontario with apples grown in your backyard as the first ingredient. To now have the opportunity to distribute 100 per cent Ontario Craft Cider in major grocery and mass merchandising retailers gives producers the opportunity to expand their business along with educating countless consumers on why 100 per cent Ontario Craft Cider products are superior. This channel expansion will be an unparalleled turning point for the Ontario Craft Cider industry, we sincerely applaud the Ontario government for its vision and perseverance in opening up distribution opportunities for Drink Ontario Apples products."
- Janice A. Ruddock
Executive Director, Ontario Craft Cider Association
"On behalf of our small and medium-sized craft winery members, we welcome all retail expansion opportunities that bring premium Ontario VQA wine closer to the hands of consumers. Our vision is a future where our award-winning, VQA products are the leading choice among wine consumers in this province and every step we take with the Ontario government towards achieving this goal, is a win for everyone."
- Michelle Wasylyshen
President & CEO Ontario Craft Wineries
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