LCBO Convenience Outlets provide socially responsible beverage alcohol service in communities where residents do not otherwise have reasonable access to an LCBO store.
LCBO Convenience Outlets are not located in urban areas such as Toronto or in communities where a LCBO Store or Beer Store is within 5 kilometers.
The LCBO uses a competitive process to select a host business in the community. The host business is authorized by the LCBO to sell beverage alcohol in conjunction with other retail goods sold in the store. Beverage alcohol is not the focus of a LCBO Convenience Outlet but adjunct to the host business.
How are LCBO Convenience Outlet communities selected?
The LCBO, in consultation with the Government of Ontario, selects communities for LCBO Convenience Outlet service (not individual businesses). When selecting communities, several weighted factors are typically considered including the proximity to other beverage alcohol services. The current distance criterion is 5 km from an LCBO Store or a retail outlet of The Beer Store. Additionally, the LCBO factors in locations from communities that have made requests for an LCBO Store or for LCBO Convenience Outlet service.
Once the community has been identified, the LCBO releases a Request for Proposal (RFP) for retail businesses in those communities to apply for a LCBO Convenience Outlet authorization.
What is the LCBO’s Competitive Process for Business selection?
Responses will be processed and, subject to the selection process, an Operator may be selected for each Community. Respondents should note that, given the number of Responses that LCBO anticipates receiving in response to an RFP, LCBO may not process and evaluate all Responses at the same time.
At this time, the LCBO is not accepting any applications. If you would like to nominate your community or are a business owner that has an interest in applying, please email ConvenienceOutlets@lcbo.com
How does Past Performance for Current Store Operators impact the RFP?
As part of the technical criteria scoring, the LCBO will take into account the past performance of current store operators over the last five years. Points will be deducted for letters of noncompliance sent by the LCBO to a current store operator.
Where can I find more information about the LCBO Convenience Outlet (Agency Store) Program?
Further inquiries can be directed to the LCBO Convenience Outlet Department via e-mail: ConvenienceOutlets@lcbo.com.
How do I make a request to the LCBO to have my community considered for LCBO Convenience Outlet service?
If your community is not on the current or newly expanded list of authorized communities and you would like your community considered for service in the future, please submit a written letter of interest to the LCBO Convenience Outlet Department outlining the community you are proposing, the type of business you operate and other pertinent information, such as the population size, distance to the closest LCBO/Beer Store outlets, tourism, etc.
The LCBO maintains all requests for a LCBO Convenience Outlet on file. Should the LCBO further expand its LCBO Convenience Outlet network beyond the expanded list of communities in June 2019, and should your community be selected, the LCBO will notify you directly of its community selection and provide further information about the LCBO's competitive process
Is the LCBO's "Food & Drink" Magazine available at LCBO Convenience Outlets?
No. LCBO Convenience Outlets are intended to be convenience locations, listing the LCBO's more popular brands. Given that convenience outlets have a limited product selection, not all marketing programs are available. Therefore, "Food & Drink" magazine is only available at LCBO corporate locations.
Customers wishing to have "Food & Drink" magazine mailed to their home as a convenience can do so by contacting via e-mail: foodanddrink@lcbo.com or by regular mail:
LCBO Marketing and Customer Insights, Dept.903
Attn: FOOD & DRINK Subscriptions
100 Queens Quay East
Toronto, ON, M5E 0C7
Canada
