Ontario Accelerates Alcohol Sales in Grocery Stores
TORONTO — Starting Thursday, July 18, 2024, licensed grocery stores in Ontario can now sell ready-to-drink beverages and large beer pack sizes immediately upon arrival, advancing the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales. This new timeline speeds up the first phase of the initiative, initially set to begin on August 1, allowing 450 currently licensed grocery stores to offer these products right away.
“Our government is keeping our promise to give people in Ontario choice and convenience while supporting Ontario-made beverage producers across the province, including the Ontario businesses that produce more than 80 per cent of the ready-to-drink beverages sold here in our province,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This is an important milestone for grocery retailers and consumers alike as we continue our work modernizing Ontario’s alcohol marketplace.”
The accelerated timeline is part of a broader plan announced in May 2024, aiming to allow every convenience, grocery, and big-box store in Ontario to sell beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages by the end of October 2024. This expansion will introduce up to an estimated 8,500 new retail locations, marking the largest increase in consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition nearly a century ago. The government will continually evaluate the implementation process to ensure it delivers on its promise of choice and convenience.
In addition to the new sales timeline, the government is introducing temporary measures to support licensed grocery stores. These measures include allowing alcohol displays in multiple areas within stores, subject to certain limits, and permitting the transfer of wine and spirits between locations with the same owner to help bars and restaurants manage inventory and maintain a consistent supply of products.
To connect consumers with local retailers and producers, the province has launched a searchable and interactive map of retailers. This map features over 1,000 local Ontario breweries, wineries, wine shops, distilleries, and other retailers such as LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store, and licensed grocery stores that sell a variety of Ontario-made and imported products. As new retailers receive licenses to sell alcoholic beverages, they will be added to the map.
This initiative is expected to provide a significant boost to Ontario’s local beverage industry, which produces over 80 percent of the ready-to-drink beverages sold in the province. By increasing the availability of these products in more retail locations, the government aims to support local businesses while offering consumers greater access to a diverse range of alcoholic beverages.
For more information and to find local retailers, visit the province’s new interactive map here.
GTA Today will continue to monitor the progress of this initiative and provide updates as the government’s plan unfolds. Stay tuned for more local news and developments.