Weeks ahead of schedule, licensed grocery stores in Ontario will be able to start selling ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages as of this Thursday, July 18, while the LCBO strike continues into its second week.
Originally slated to begin August 1, the Ontario government announced this morning that the first phase of its alcohol expansion plans would be accelerated and bumped up by two weeks, with its end goal to introduce beer, cider, wine, and RTD beverages to convenience stores by September 5.
The strike between the LCBO and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has over 9000 striking workers, who are arguing against the expansion of RTDs and other alcoholic products into grocery and convenience stores.
OPSEU claims the plan will affect the $2.5 billion in revenue it generates for public services each year, and will result in job losses.
The first phase of the plan lets stores which are already licensed be able to order RTDs as well as large-pack sizes of beer, and then be able to sell them as soon as they arrive.
The government is also allowing those stores to temporarily display alcohol in various areas of the stores, and any retailers with the same owner and/or affiliated licensees can transfer some alcoholic beverages between locations to help bars and restaurant manage their inventory throughout the strike.
450 grocery stores throughout the province qualify for this first phase of the expansion plan.
Once October rolls around, every licensed convenience, grocery, and big box store will be allowed to sell beer, cider, wine and mixed drinks.
The province estimates that this will allow for alcohol to be purchased at 8,500 new locations, which it says will be the biggest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition.