TORONTO, May 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the provincial
government shared news about accelerated timelines for the future
of the beverage alcohol marketplace in Ontario. This announcement
confirms that The Beer Store remains the primary distributor
of beer in Ontario, a responsible
recycling steward, and a competitive retailer in an expanded
marketplace.
The announcement acknowledges The Beer Store's pivotal
role as the primary distributor of beer in Ontario and underscores its unwavering
commitment to responsible beer sales. This commitment is embodied
through its recycling program and the Ontario Deposit Return
Program, which will continue until at least 2031, ensuring a
sustainable future for Ontario's
beverage alcohol marketplace.
"Today is a significant milestone,
reaffirming The Beer Store's crucial role as the primary
distributor of beer in Ontario.
This announcement underscores our commitment to responsible beer
distribution and environmental stewardship," said CEO
Roy Benin. "With today's
announcement, we look forward to the next stage in The Beer Store's
evolution. The Beer Store will be transformed, where our role as
primary distributor and recycling steward takes center stage while
maintaining a competitive retail footprint," said Benin.
As the marketplace has expanded since the 2015 Master
Framework Agreement, with the addition of 450 grocery stores, and
in 2019, the expansion of the LCBO's Liquor Convenience Outlet
program, The Beer Store has kept pace and remained
competitive.
TBS is a significant employer, with 6,500 hard-working
Ontarians in well-paying full—and part-time jobs. These employees
provide responsible, convenient service for customers across the
province, contributing to the local economy. The Beer Store offers
the best beer selection in Ontario. It has grown its distribution network
to include hundreds of grocery outlets.
In 2023, the delivery fleet owned by The Beer Store made
727,868 deliveries to Licensees (Bars/Restaurants), Private
Retailers, and LCBO outlets.
In 2024 and beyond, The Beer Store is planning to adapt
and thrive. We will expand our distribution fleet and network to
service the new retail outlets, increasing our presence from
approximately 1,500 private sector outlets to more than 10,000
during the term of this contract.
The Beer Store has also invested over $100 million dollars in future-focused projects,
including:
- A new, state-of-the-art distribution centre in
Bolton, ON
- Upgrades to the point of sale technology to be more
reliable and convenient for shoppers
- Online sales and delivery, making TBS the number one
alcohol delivery retailer in Ontario
- Third-party platform delivery partnerships with Skip the
Dishes and others, resulting in 95 percent of stores having a
channel for rapid delivery.
As the transition to a further expanded marketplace moves
forward this summer and fall, these investments in modernization
will enable The Beer Store to successfully compete with additional
retail channels as the socially responsible, low-cost provider of
ice-cold beer in Ontario.
The Beer Store continues operating as usual, including
during the summer season. Please visit
https://www.thebeerstore.ca/ for more details on
your local store hours.
About The Beer
Store
Owned by Ontario-based
brewers, The Beer Store is the largest beer retailer in
Ontario. The Beer Store listed
1,107 brands, which more than 267 brewers provided in 2023. With 26
points of distribution strategically located across the province,
The Beer Store proudly distributed 2.9 million hectoliters of beer
in 2023. The Beer Store is deeply committed to responsible sales
and not selling to minors and people who are intoxicated. More than
1.5 million customers were challenged in 2023 alone. It is also one
of the greenest retailers in the world, annually collecting for
reuse and recycling approximately 1.7 billion beverage alcohol
containers, including beer, wine and spirits. The Beer Store
employs 6500 hard-working Ontarians with well-paying full- and
part-time jobs.
The Beer Store has updated its images and background
information catalogue for media use. When you click on the store
images link, you can download a folder of store
photos.
The link is located
here: https://www.thebeerstore.ca/about-us/contact-tbs/store-images/
SOURCE The Beer Store