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Let us buy beer in convenience stores, Ontarians say in survey
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Toronto Star- If Ontarians had their way, they’d be able to buy their beer and wine in corner stores, and a Progessive Conservative MPP hinted Wednesday that might happen if the Tories form the next government.
According to a new survey done for the Ontario Convenience Store Association, 60 per cent of Ontario residents want the province’s alcohol retail system opened up for competition. Support for the idea was highest in Eastern Ontario, at 71 per cent, while in the Greater Toronto Area, it was at 61 per cent.
“We are so far behind the times in this province. It’s time for a change,” said OCSA president Dave Bryans. “People are simply looking for more convenience.”
It’s also nothing particularly revolutionary, Bryans said, pointing out that several other provinces, including Quebec, already sell wine and beer in corner stores and grocery stores. Even in Ontario, Bryans noted, there are roughly 200 LCBO “agency” stores run by private retailers in areas where the provincial liquor monopoly doesn’t have a store.
The survey also found that 48 per cent of Ontarians believe The Beer Store is owned by the provincial government. Only 5 per cent were aware that it’s owned by Molson Coors (which has a 49 per cent stake), Labatt (49 per cent) and Sleeman (two per cent).
Labatt is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch/InBev, while Sleeman is owned by Japan’s Sapporo. The Beer Store accounts for 85-90 per cent of beer sales in Ontario, while the LCBO accounts for most of the rest.
Responding to the survey, Premier Dalton McGuinty poured cold water on the idea of selling alcohol at convenience stores and grocery stores.
“That is not something that we are looking at,” said McGuinty.
PC MPP Elizabeth Witmer, however, left the door open, at least for wine using Ontario-grown grapes.
“Our focus right now. . . is to increase access to the VQA wines,” said Witmer. Asked specifically if that meant opening up sales to convenience stores, Witmer didn’t rule it out.
“I would simply say to you our plan is to increase access and how that would be accomplished obviously would become more apparent,” Witmer said.
Gary McMullen, president of Muskoka Cottage Brewer and head of the Ontario Craft Brewers, says he’d welcome the chance to get his beer to more consumers, but worried that it could end up costing more to distribute. Small brewers simply don’t have the ability to deliver to thousands of convenience stores across the province, meaning they’d have to rely on some kind of third-party distributor.
“If there are more people with their hands on the product, that cost is going to end up being passed along,” said McMullen, adding that he’s also concerned an opened-up system could actually mean less choice for consumers.
“You’re going to have to pay a stocking fee, and the person who can afford to pay the most is going to end up getting the most shelf space. But consumer demand does end up having some impact,” said McMullen.
Bryans admitted that convenience stores wouldn’t have as broad a selection as existing retailers, but said the reason was a simple one – space.
“We’ll never have as many brands as the LCBO or The Beer Store, but that’s because we’ve got much less shelf space,” said Bryans.
With files from Robert Benzie
Support for opening up beer and wine sales:
Ontario: 60 per cent
GTA: 61 per cent
Eastern Ont.: 71 per cent
Hamilton-Niagara: 55 per cent
Southwest Ont.: 51 per cent
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