The Beer Store & LCBO debate with public opinion & free enterprise
By Mark
Schadenberg
Should more satellite
locations for The Beer Store and LCBO be created?
In Oxford County, for
example, I know Embro, Thamesford (Picture of sign was taken before recent gas price elevation) and Innerkip already have sites
selling beer and spirits in a limited supply and with limited choice
in brands.
Should grocery stores
sell beer and liquor? What about more corner stores in larger centres
already served (pun) by LCBO and The Beer Store outlets?
Professional curler and former world champion Glenn Howard (pictured), who has worked for The Beer Store for more than 30
years in the Midland – Penetang area, is touring the province on
behalf of his employer (See link below) and suggests it would not be
a good practise to expand beer distribution to more stores, and in
particular stores not carrying The Beer Store name.
The health unit of
London – Middlesex is also against the idea as can be seen in the
CTV2 London video below.
It's an interesting
debate, but I would think that as long as stringent guidelines are in
place, it would be fine to sell wine, beer and booze in a few corner
stores. The folks at The Beer Store are afraid of countless layoffs,
but that's the same fear Canada Post employees had when stamps went
on sale at corner stores, which also now feature secured mail boxes
and mini post offices.
Certainly not all
variety stores should be able to sell alcohol, but the ones selling
cigarettes and lottery tickets now do a thorough job of collecting
identification from under-age consumers.
The
National Post story below includes comments from the Ontario
Convenience Stores Association (OCAS):
“Convenience
stores have demonstrated their ability to responsibly sell
age-restricted products with the highest standards in the province,”
OCAS CEO David Brays said in a news conference in Toronto.
Cigarettes
and lottery tickets — which are off-limits to those under 19 and 18
years old, respectively — have long been sold in corner stores, he
said in response to a controversial ad campaign released last week by
The Beer Store.
“Convenience
stores are already responsibly offering alcohol in over 200
communities and it’s time to add on to the existing system with
more options for consumers,” the OCAS said in a statement.
Special Occasion Permit
I would expect one
regulation which would stay in place, is that product purchased for
lisenced events (weddings, buck-and-doe, etc), would only be acquired
from The Beer Store and LCBO stores. Application for Special Occasion
Permits should remain the sole responsibility of the LCBO as well.
Our economy is all
about supply and demand, so it would be impossible for a corner store
to carry the variety of brands that are available at the big
distribution stores, so if you wanted to buy a unique brew or other
lower-volume drink, you would still be required (in my opinion) to
visit the LCBO or The Beer Store. Therefore, it would appear in my
opinion, that the true advantage of this de-regulation would be the
large brewing companies, who already control much of the varied
availability at The Beer Store.
The price of
transportation to the variety store from its distribution network
(The Beer Store / LCBO) could also mean the cost of a '2-4' would be
more at a convenience cash register. The empties would be returned to
The Beer Store (depending on exactly how system is set up) and that's
when the consumer would make his/her next purchase. Right? I would
think/hope so.
It's an interesting
multi-angle debate. It's about de-regulation, free enterprise, small
stores jockeying for market-share position versus large grocery
stores (who will be give the right to sell), it's about unions, floor
space in your neighbourhood store, and also about population
demographics. If Innerkip, Thamesford, Embro and other small locales
can sell beer in small community stores, where do you draw the line.
Woodstock has a brand new The Beer Store under construction plus a
second store. Is that enough for a population hovering under 40,000.
Woodstock has just once LCBO store, but you can buy wine at Zehrs.
One quick edit I add here after reading a comment from a co-worker, this could also have a negative effect on who works at your favourite variety store as all employees selling alcohol would have to be 19. Taking a Smart Serve course would be easily done.
One quick edit I add here after reading a comment from a co-worker, this could also have a negative effect on who works at your favourite variety store as all employees selling alcohol would have to be 19. Taking a Smart Serve course would be easily done.
Care and concern takes
place daily at restaurants and pubs with a liquor license; I believe
the same will occur at convenience stores, but the large distribution
stores will still have their place in the market.
A fun debate . . a good
discussion to have with your friends on the back deck while enjoying
a beer or vodka cooler.
LINKS:
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