Ontario grocers may have to wait to sell more alcohol

Grocery stores in Ontario are gearing up to sell ready-to-drink cocktails and larger packs of beer, but the wait may be longer due to a worker strike and other factors, reports CBC Radio.

The move to sell the additional alcohol is supposed to take place on Thursday, but 9,000 union workers with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) are still protesting.

Stores already licensed to sell beer, wine, and cider will be able to display ready-to-drink cocktails along with 12- and 24-packs of beer.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy called the addition to the store floor a milestone for grocery retailers and consumers.

The plan to boost the assortment of alcohol in Ontario was not supposed to happen until 2026, but officials decided to make the move this year.

However, the Liquor Control Board strike and other factors could tap the brakes on the alcohol sales expansion.

A Retail Council of Canada spokesperson told CBC products would not be available at grocery stores right away due to shipping and other logistics issues. Then there is the LCBO strike.

LCBO is Ontario’s primary liquor retailer, and negotiations with the union have been ongoing.

The addition to sell ready-to-drink cocktails and more beer appears to be a sticking point.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said the move could lead to thousands of job losses over the next few years.

LCBO originally said it would open some stores during the strike, but yesterday that plan was scrapped.