By Katie Davis O ntario enters the online booze business with a bang with the launch of LCBO.com offering over 5,000 products from Canada and 85 other coun- tries for sale online as the provincial government contin- ues its liberalization of alcohol retailing. The online service will allowOntarians the choice of having their purchases delivered to their homes by Canada Post, with proper identification checks and a small $12 fee for a minimum order of $50 or to an LCBO of their choice for no cost other than the price of gas to go pick it up. My guess is unless it is for a party the same day that the to your door service, will get the most use as home deliveries will be made in two to three days and four to twelve days when shipped to LCBO stores. Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the online sales will allow customers to buy products they may not find in their local stores, making for more “virtual” shelf space.
sales, promised months ago and in testing for several months, “gives consumers greater choice and con- venience while increasing opportunities for Ontario’s dynamic beverage alcohol producers.” Sousa said that the current selection of 5,000 products could expand to over 16,000 products within a year depending on sales and customer demand for the online service. Consumer demand was the driving force behind Ontario allowing beer sales in some Ontario supermarkets last December, plus adding ciders this past June and expand- ing to wine sales this fall. Ontario’s launch of LCBO.com follows an agreement last week by Premier, Kathleen Wynne, British Columbia Premier, Christy Clark and Quebec Premier, Philippe Couil- lard to greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines from their provinces through online ordering.
Sousa said in a statement that the online
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS • AUGUST 2016
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