Protest against the LCBO -- Liquor Control Board of Ontario

Black Dog · March 13, 2015

It's a good start. Needs to go further than just lining Galen Weston's pockets.

GostHacked · March 13, 2015

I called this one.

http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/02/17/ontario-grocery-stores-wont-sell-booze-any-time-soon.html

Now that the Ontario Government has highlighted the Beer Store as this nebulous issue that needs to be fixed they can't ignore the idea of making LCBOs more accessible.

They are already accessible. I have 8 or so within a 10 minute drive from my house.

Boges · March 13, 2015

They are already accessible. I have 8 or so within a 10 minute drive from my house.

They don't have great hours. I'm close to an LCBO too, but if you live in ButtBleep, Ontario maybe you don't. Wouldn't it be nice to get your beer from the local Food Basics.

guyser · March 13, 2015

They don't have great hours.

Lots of them have great hours.

GostHacked · March 13, 2015

They don't have great hours. I'm close to an LCBO too, but if you live in ButtBleep, Ontario maybe you don't. Wouldn't it be nice to get your beer from the local Food Basics.

Most of those LCBOs are right next to a beer store. The Food Basics is farther than the nearest beer store and LCBO (right next to each other)

You can argue for more accessibility in rural areas. But in the city, not an issue.

Boges · March 13, 2015

Lots of them have great hours.

Not as good as the hours Grocery Stores have. The good thing about this plan is that is states the the "Beer/Wine" aisle will be part of the the grocery store and will be paid at checkout. I guess, in theory, they could still say that beer can't be sold after 5pm on a Sunday but you don't have to make a separate purchase at a kiosk like you do at a Wine Rack.

Boges · March 13, 2015

Most of those LCBOs are right next to a beer store. The Food Basics is farther than the nearest beer store and LCBO (right next to each other)

You can argue for more accessibility in rural areas. But in the city, not an issue.

I was just giving an example. Perhaps you do have an LCBO closer to you than a Big Box grocery store. At least, under this plan, you can buy beer while you're doing your groceries and not have to make a separate stop.

Black Dog · March 13, 2015

Still like to see beer and wine at corner stores like in Quebec. And why not let small brewers open up their own beer stores?

Boges · March 13, 2015

Still like to see beer and wine at corner stores like in Quebec. And why not let small brewers open up their own beer stores?

I think it's racist if you think about it. These convenience stores are usually independently owned franchises, most I've seen are tended to by new Canadians.

We can't trust them to sell beer but these big grocery chains can do it. It's pointed out in today's Star that many grocery workers are unionized. I wonder if only grocery stores with unionized staff will be allowed to sell beer and not, say, Walmart.

Black Dog · March 13, 2015

I think it's racist if you think about it. These convenience stores are usually independently owned franchises, most I've seen are tended to by new Canadians.

We can't trust them to sell beer but these big grocery chains can do it. It's pointed out in today's Star that many grocery workers are unionized. I wonder if only grocery stores with unionized staff will be allowed to sell beer and not, say, Walmart.

Depends: how much does Walmart donate to the OLP?

Edited March 13, 2015 by Black Dog

Michael Hardner · March 14, 2015

Depends: how much does Walmart donate to the OLP?

http://www.elections.on.ca/en-CA/FAQs/ElectionFinances.htm#conlim

Doesn't seem likely. Seems more likely that they would try to protect local jobs, given the economy. As such, local brewers and wine makers getting a break makes more sense.

GostHacked · March 14, 2015

I was just giving an example. Perhaps you do have an LCBO closer to you than a Big Box grocery store. At least, under this plan, you can buy beer while you're doing your groceries and not have to make a separate stop.

I prefer to keep them in separate stores. The trend has been to go big box with everything in it. In my view that was always going to fail and you see retailers scaling back some. In my view they become jack of all trades and masters of none. And well, in many cases here in Ottawa there is a beer store or LCBO right beside a grocery store. So essentially one stop. Rural areas may be different I understand, but you won't be finding big box stores in small communities. It's not sustainable for one, based on population to support such a store.

Bob Macadoo · March 14, 2015

Aren't there already LCBO satellites in corner stores of rural areas?

Here's where I'm confused. Even if you allow Galen into the booze biz, the monopolists still own the distribution network. Can't they just charge Loblaw's enough to be uncompetitive?

Edited March 14, 2015 by Bob Macadoo

guyser · March 14, 2015

Aren't there already LCBO satellites in corner stores of rural areas?

Yes, not rare at all. Mainly I suspect in small communities far away from the GTA.

I use one regularly at my cottage as its part of the localgrocery store. Convenient, unless you want that special bottle of something.

Here's where I'm confused. Even if you allow Galen into the booze biz, the monopolists still own the distribution network. Can't they just charge Loblaw's enough to be uncompetitive?

not quite.

The distributor will be the govt, and the rates will be applicable to all . The overhead of each seller will be different so maybe thats where the price changes.

Im telling you this though, if this goes thru I may very well be changing professions . A close friend of mine owns a small general store and we recently talked ab out how we could open up a bit bigger if granted a booze sellers licence.

Now that would be nice.

Bob Macadoo · March 14, 2015

The distributor will be the govt, and the rates will be applicable to all . The overhead of each seller will be different so maybe thats where the price changes.

I was referring more to the Interbrew/Coors.....Sleeman (heh heh) conglomerate. Don't they own their distribution that Galen will need to get in on?

GostHacked · March 14, 2015

I was referring more to the Interbrew/Coors.....Sleeman (heh heh) conglomerate. Don't they own their distribution that Galen will need to get in on?

Yes. Unless it is beneficial for both of them, it won't happen. The Beer Store is really operated by some of the larger breweries around.

Bob Macadoo · March 14, 2015

Yes. Unless it is beneficial for both of them, it won't happen. The Beer Store is really operated by some of the larger breweries around.

Right....since it's common knowledge :rolleyes: that gov't corporations can't provide price effective service it forces Galen into Beer Store clutches......mwah ha ha......Sorry trying to imitate conglomerate CEO glee......

Edited March 14, 2015 by Bob Macadoo

Ash74 · March 14, 2015

You think the CEO's of the large grocery stores are not dancing with joy?

This is a whole new market for them to sell too.

Even if the profits are small the foot traffic it will bring in that might buy popcorn,chips,steaks,etc,etc

It will be prime space for the snack food companies that will pay big o be in that same aisle.

I promise you the plans are already being drawn up on where the beer will go, how it will be secured,etc,etc.

Boges · March 16, 2015

I prefer to keep them in separate stores. The trend has been to go big box with everything in it. In my view that was always going to fail and you see retailers scaling back some. In my view they become jack of all trades and masters of none. And well, in many cases here in Ottawa there is a beer store or LCBO right beside a grocery store. So essentially one stop. Rural areas may be different I understand, but you won't be finding big box stores in small communities. It's not sustainable for one, based on population to support such a store.

That's fine, if you prefer to go to the Beer Store separately no one is stopping you. When it comes to wine, which you can currently buy at some grocery stores, the LCBO offers better deals (I'm sure that's by design). BUT this is all about choice. I'm sick to death with the government telling the masses the best/only way to purchase their controlled substance of choice.

GostHacked · March 16, 2015

You think the CEO's of the large grocery stores are not dancing with joy?

This is a whole new market for them to sell too.

Even if the profits are small the foot traffic it will bring in that might buy popcorn,chips,steaks,etc,etc

It will be prime space for the snack food companies that will pay big o be in that same aisle.

I promise you the plans are already being drawn up on where the beer will go, how it will be secured,etc,etc.

The other thing is that you'll need to adjust laws so people under 19 can sell booze. OR you will only hire cashiers that are over 19. How does that work in Quebec?

GostHacked · March 16, 2015

That's fine, if you prefer to go to the Beer Store separately no one is stopping you. When it comes to wine, which you can currently buy at some grocery stores, the LCBO offers better deals (I'm sure that's by design). BUT this is all about choice. I'm sick to death with the government telling the masses the best/only way to purchase their controlled substance of choice.

The selection of wines at the LCBO compared to the Wine Racks that you do find in some grocery stores here in Ontario are very different.

Boges · March 16, 2015

The selection of wines at the LCBO compared to the Wine Racks that you do find in some grocery stores here in Ontario are very different.

That's by design you know. The LCBO doesn't want the Wine Rack selling wines from Chile, South Africa or Australia that they can sell for less.

VQA wines aren't cheap.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Boges

GostHacked · March 16, 2015

That's by design you know. The LCBO doesn't want the Wine Rack selling wines from Chile, South Africa or Australia that they can sell for less.

VQA wines aren't cheap.

A lot of this stuff is by design. Big corps have power. And those corps control or heavily influence/manipulate the government regulatory body. A good example of private interests controlling the public service run by government.

Black Dog · March 16, 2015

That's by design you know. The LCBO doesn't want the Wine Rack selling wines from Chile, South Africa or Australia that they can sell for less.

VQA wines aren't cheap.

Wine Rack doesn't even sell much VQA wine. Most of Wine Rack stock is cheap blends made with international grapes.

The Wine Rack is basically the Beer Store model.

LemonPureLeaf · March 16, 2015

The other thing is that you'll need to adjust laws so people under 19 can sell booze. OR you will only hire cashiers that are over 19. How does that work in Quebec?

. You need to be 18 to sell booze in provinces that the drinking age is 19.