Doug Ford’s recent order to the LCBO that it should clear U.S. booze from its shelves if Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs won’t hurt Ontario’s convenience stores, an industry group says.
The Convenience Industry Council of Canada, which represents 7,500 retailers in Ontario, told Global News in a statement that corner stores are well-equipped should the province retaliate against the U.S. president.
Last year, the province liberalized the sale of alcohol in Ontario, allowing convenience, grocery and big box stores to compete with the Beer Store and LCBO. However, when it did so, the province overhauled its wholesale and delivery network and made the LCBO the exclusive wholesaler for the entire province.
“Ontario’s convenience stores offer a broad enough assortment, including local products, that we are confident that we can continue to meet our customers’ needs and provide them with the choice and convenience they rely on us for,” said Anne Kothawala, the council’s president and CEO.
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