Ontario Launches Online Shopping through LCBO.com

July 26, 2016

Bringing Products from Canada and 85 Other Countries to Consumers’ Fingertips

Ontario is offering a new and convenient way to buy alcohol products by introducing online sales through LCBO.com.

Starting today, LCBO consumers can buy online up to 5,000 different products from across Canada and 85 other countries. Customers can choose to have their order sent to an LCBO store of their choosing for pick up, free of charge, or choose to have it delivered directly to their home, anywhere in Ontario.

Ontario beverage alcohol producers will have access to greater “virtual” shelf space, which increases their reach to consumers who may not always have access to their product in their local store. This is the government’s latest step to expand options for buying alcohol, including the sale of beer in grocery stores last December, cider this June and the arrival of wine this fall.

Today’s e-commerce launch strengthens LCBO’s ability to generate revenue for Ontarians and continue to fund key public services such as health care and education.

Ontario is expanding access responsibly. In partnership with Canada Post, the LCBO will ensure that online orders are only handled by and delivered to adults of legal drinking age. Ontario is also developing a comprehensive alcohol policy to support the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol.

Supporting more choice and convenience for consumers, while improving opportunities for businesses, is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUICK FACTS

• Up to 5,000 individual products are now available online, including exclusives beyond the LCBO’s current catalogue. The total could grow to more than 16,000 over time.
• Consumers can have Canada Post deliver products securely and responsibly directly to their home anywhere in Ontario for $12 per order plus tax. They can also have them shipped free for pickup at any of the LCBO’s 655 stores. A $50 minimum applies to online orders.
• The LCBO had another record year in 2015–16, with sales of $5.57 billion, up 6.8 per cent year over year. It paid a dividend of $1.935 billion to Ontario, an increase of $130 million.
• Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Québec Premier Philippe Couillard and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark recently committed to greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines produced in their provinces through online ordering.
• The Premier’s Advisory Council on Government Assets stated in its final report that it strongly supports the LCBO’s e-commerce launch because it will improve consumer choice.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The LCBO’s news release and backgrounder on online sales
• The LCBO’s commitment to responsible retailing and consumption
• Ontario’s programs supporting responsible consumption of beverage alcohol