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Latest News

July 29, 2024 - Expanded fulfillment and delivery to return starting Monday July 29

As you are aware, we have been working to prepare our people and operations to return to business as usual following the end of a 17-day strike.  

Last week we shared that delivery was temporarily paused for new licensee orders until August 6, but we are pleased to share that starting Monday, July 29, you will once again be able to shop on wholesale.lcbo.com and select delivery or pick up from the depots, and/or pick up from any our 500+ eligible retail stores (remember to select a location near you). If you are a licensee who is not currently taking advantage of delivery services from LCBO depots and would like to, email licensee@lcbo.com.  

We are also pleased to share that licensees should notice a broader selection of inventory across all fulfillment points as inventory continues to be replenished.  

As a reminder, if you placed an order after July 15 and it has not been delivered, please email licensee@lcbo.com if you would like to know the status of your order.  

Thank you for your patience and please let us know if there is any way that we can support you by emailing licensee@lcbo.com. 

July 21, 2024 - Update on your shopping experience as LCBO transitions back to business as usual 

Following the ratification of the collective agreement with OPSEU, LCBO is working to prepare our people and operations to return to business as usual. This will be a transition over the next several weeks. 

Changes to your shopping experience over the coming weeks, starting Tuesday, July 23.

- Online shopping with an expanded product assortment: You can continue to shop on wholesale.lcbo.com, but instead of selecting one of 15 ‘fulfilment points’, you will now be able to select one of our 500+ Same-Day Pickup stores.

- Select a store and complete your order. Your order will be ready for pick up in the store within two business days. Orders that are not collected within three business days will be returned to stock.

- Shopping via Same-day Pickup will be available exclusively for licensees until July 30, providing you with greater access to inventory and personalized service.

- In-store shopping: You will have the option of shopping in store at one of our 680+ LCBO retail stores.

- Removal of product limits: There will no longer be product limits and your full catalogue will be available as we replenish inventory in our warehouses.

- Delivery temporarily paused for new orders until August 6: Delivery options will be temporarily paused for new orders until August 6 while we rebuild inventory and process existing deliveries.

- Licensee orders on lcbo.com with wholesale discount are no longer an option: You will no longer shop on lcbo.com and have your wholesale discount applied. Any orders placed after July 23, will not be eligible for the wholesale discount. We will continue to honour refunds of the wholesale discount for purchases made on the site in the previous weeks.

- Resumption of standard invoicing process: You will receive notifications at each stage of the ordering process including an electronic copy of your invoice.  

An update on licensee orders 

- LCBO.com orders: Orders which were made in the last few weeks on lcbo.com have been placed and are being fulfilled. Orders which were placed after July 15, may take longer than our standard delivery times. You expect to receive orders within three weeks. We thank you for your continued patience. 

- No in-store refunds prior to August 6: If you wish to return your order for a full refund, you may do so in-store with your receipt no earlier than August 6. 

- Reminder about claims: If you need to report any damages or discrepancies, please email us at licensee@lcbo.com. Claims will be processed in a timely manner; please forward any supporting documentations such as photos or documents signed by the delivery driver. 

- Invoicing needs: If you require an invoice from an online order made during the strike, please contact Customer Care.  

We understand that the last few weeks have been challenging for your business. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support.

July 14, 2024 - An update on store openings and the customer experience 

We recently shared, we are no longer opening any LCBO retail locations for in-store shopping (which was set to begin this Friday, July 19), and stores will remain closed for the duration of the strike.

While retail customers will continue to shop on lcbo.com, we are improving how we serve Ontario bars and restaurants to help increase product selection, availability, and expedited delivery. 

Licensees will receive further instruction in an email and on wholesale.lcbo.com starting Monday, July 15.

July 8, 2024 - Important change for by-the-unit shopping for licensees 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the impacts on our operations caused by the OPSEU strike. 

Previously, out of consideration for small business looking to buy less than a case of product, we signaled our intention to open some LCBO retail stores in key locations to support shopping by the unit for licensees, as well as a shipping option for those outside these areas.

Throughout this labour disruption, we’re constantly evaluating the best way to serve our customers, including licensees. To ensure that our products remain accessible as best possible and with as little disruption to your business, we have made the decision to offer an alternative online experience for smaller licensee orders instead of opening select stores for licensees during the two-week closure. 

Effective today, and until the LCBO locations open on July 19, licensee customers can shop online at LCBO.com and LCBO will apply your licensee discount following your purchase. 

Here’s how: 

• Place your order on LCBO.com as a guest using your registered wholesale.lcbo.com account email address. Please ensure that you enter the establishment name and address in the delivery address fields. LCBO will apply your licensee discount and reissue your invoice with the refunded discount on the transaction within 14 days.

• If you do not use your LCBO.com registered wholesale.lcbo.com account email address, forward your order confirmation email, along with your Licensee Number to licensee@lcbo.com.

o After we verify your Licensee Number and shipping address, we’ll send you an email to confirm that we will refund the discount on the transaction within 14 days.

• Orders will be shipped free of charge to your registered business address, and deliveries should be received in 3 to 5 days.  

• Remember to use your establishment name in the delivery address field.

A reminder that licensees ordering by large volumes (i.e. by the case), should continue to place those orders on wholesale.lcbo.com, where your discount is automatically applied, and there will be free delivery to your establishment during the strike. Due to the high volume of orders, the current inventory availability may not be optimal at this time. We are working diligently to address the issue. 

When the limited LCBO retail locations open for customer shopping on July 19, licensees are welcome to shop in store; your licensee discount will be applied at point-of-sale as always. Returns will be accepted once regular operations resume following a strike.

We remain committed to the licensee experience at this time and will evaluate an extension of this option if feasible. 

Again, we did not want a strike at LCBO, and we apologize for the inconvenience to our wholesale customers. We cannot predict how long OPSEU’s strike will last, but our team is here to help as much as possible with any questions or concerns.

July 5, 2024 - LCBO strike: How licensees can place and receive orders 

Earlier this morning, LCBO issued a statement acknowledging the first strike in the history of our organization. As such, we are activating our contingency plans for the continued service of our wholesale customers, including bars and restaurants. 

Our priority is to ensure the best possible continued service. That said, it is not business as usual. 

Last week, we shared information on how licensees would continue to place and receive orders. As of today, and through the duration of the strike. 

- We will be accepting licensee orders via wholesale.lcbo.com. These orders will be in case lot for each item ordered and will be delivered to establishments free of charge.  

- Product assortment will be limited to a selection of SKUs LCBO has planned to support an increase in inventory and customer preferences. 

- When limited LCBO retail locations open (July 19), licensees can shop in-store. No product capacities will apply when they identify at checkout, and they will receive their discount at point-of-sale as always. 

- A reminder that all returns will be accepted once regular operations resume following a strike.  

We appreciate the unique considerations your businesses face. If you were unable to stock up in advance or if ordering by the case causes significant challenges, we are implementing a temporary solution for shopping by the unit, effective Wednesday, July 10, and until the select LCBO retail locations open (July 19). 

- LCBO will be opening five (5) retail locations in the key areas (Toronto, Mississauga, Woodbridge, London, Ottawa) to service licensee shopping only. 

- Email licensee@lcbo.com to indicate you are a licensee looking to place an order by the bottle. Please provide your licensee information/number and your contact information.  

- A member of our team will be in touch on what to expect from the order process and which stores are open to process licensee orders. We will book you an appointment between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to shop in-store where we will process your licensee information and payment.   

- If there is not a location close to your establishment, we will be in touch to process your order and payment and will ship your products to you free of charge. Deliveries should be received by licensees in 3-7 days.  

We did not want a strike at LCBO, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience and disruption this will cause. We thank you for your patience and understanding.   

While we can’t predict how long the strike will last, we will keep customers informed via our website and social media channels. Information regarding the status of negotiations between LCBO and OPSEU will continue to be posted to LCBONegotiations.com. Our Customer Care team is here to help with any questions or concerns.  

Thank you.