Canada’s Ontario Government has authorised 87 new grocery stores in the province to sell beer and cider products from this April.
According to the government, the decision would improve convenience and choice for the people across the province.
The 87 grocers were selected by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) through a competitive bidding process.
LCBO noted that out of 87 stores, 11 were independently owned and 76 stores were owned and operated by large grocers.
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Ontario finance minister Charles Sousa said: “The rollout of beer and cider in grocery stores has increased convenience for consumers and expanded opportunities for grocers, breweries and cideries to grow their businesses and create more jobs.”
The newly selected stores will join the 200 grocery stores that have already been authorised by the government to retail beer and cider products in the province.
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With the addition of new stores, the total number of Ontario-based grocery stores that are authorised to sell beer and cider has increased to 450, where 300 stores also hold the permit to sell wine products in the province.
Providing beer, cider and wine in the grocery stores is said to be part of the largest change to alcohol retailing that was recommended by the Premier’s Advisory Council on Government Assets in the province since Prohibition.
The changes to beverage alcohol retailing in Ontario include the sale of beer, cider and wine in grocery stores, as well as online via the LCBO website.