You may soon be able to add beer and wine to your list as your picking up groceries at your local store.
The Retail Council of Canada says it is in talks with the Ontario government over the availability of booze that is one option being entertained. This is by no means a done deal but Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she wants to change the way beer and wine are sold in Ontario.
So, the Loblaws and the Walmarts of the world may play a role in this.
Suzanne and Claude Larocque are picking up dinner tonight at their local grocery store -- and wouldn't mind adding a good bottle of wine.
‘I’d love it,’ says Suzanne Larocque, ‘we don’t drive so it would be one stop and everything is done.’
What isn’t done yet is this deal to sell a variety of beer and wine in grocery stores. But, it appears it may be coming, according to the Retail Council of Canada. The Retail Council represents all the big chains including Loblaws, Sobeys, Walmarts and Metro and Costco. The Vice-President of that Council, David Wilkes, says his organization has been in talks with Ontario’s government.
‘The premier has said on numerous occasions that she is looking for grocers with a strong reputation of selling products in a responsible manner as part of that solution,’ says Wilkes, ‘and we are working with her closely to bring that to fruition.’
At an event in Ottawa, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli would not confirm that's on the table.
‘We're still looking at different ways to deal with these issues,’ Chiarelli said, ‘negotiations are still going on with The Beer Stores and LCBO but we have good options and will be announcing them in near future.’
Those who brew craft beer say improved access is great as long as it's fair to the little guys like them.
‘We really just want fair market access,’ says Lon Ladell with Big Rig Brewery, ‘through grocery stores or whatever means the government decides. We just want the same opportunities as the big players right now.’
Owners of grocery stores see this as double edged sword. They say it would be more convenient for customers to get their beer and wine as they shop for groceries but if the stores have to deal with bottle returns, any increase in revenue they make would be eaten up by that.
Most shoppers we spoke with would give it a ringing endorsement.
‘I'd love it, it would be great,’ says shopper Fred Smith.
‘It works in Quebec, why wouldn’t it work here?’ adds shopper George Dobinson.
Betty Donnelly is British and says, ‘I’m familiar with it from England and it’s much more readily available.’
But Robert Allaire, a non-drinker worries about control, ‘Controlling the young poeple that would go into beer stores and purchase would be hard to regulate.’
The who's, whys and where’s would still need to be worked out. The Retail Council says details are being finalized; expect an announcement in the spring budget.
