RETAIL PARTNERS PROGRAM

In communities too small to support either an LCBO store or location of The Beer Store, liquor sales are provided by authorized LCBO agents that combine liquor sales with other goods.

In 2001, The Beer Store began to contract directly with new agents for the supply, sale, display, handling and marketing of beer.

The launch of The Beer Store's Retail Partners Program coincided with government plans to significantly expand the number of LCBO approved agent locations in southern Ontario. TBS now has 140 retail partner locations in southern Ontario.

TBS provides retail partners with TBS signage when they begin to sell beer. Its contractual agreements ensure that retail partners carry a good selection of beer products. Each retail partner is required to carry a minimum designated assortment of the best selling beer brands in the province, as well as a minimum number of brands from small Ontario brewers.

They also take back all beer, wine and spirit empties for deposit refund from all customers.

This initiative has greatly increased shopping convenience for smaller communities. Since fiscal 2003, beer sales through retail partner outlets increased from 54,500 hl to just over 250,000 hl in 2007.

The government determines which communities are eligible to become LCBO authorized agents. Once a need for service is identified, the LCBO will place an advertisement in the local newspaper inviting interested retailers serving the trade area to apply.

A competitive Request for Proposal process is followed, after which the successful retailer is able to enter into a non-transferable Retail Partners Agreement with The Beer Store. The term of this agreement will match the term of the LCBO's agency store authorization – typically a period of five years.

For existing Retail Partners, please visit our Service on Tap site for information and pricing.

For more information on the Request for Proposal process or the agency store program, please contact the LCBO directly.