Introduction of Wholesale LTO Program – applications open July 6 for P7-P10

We’re pleased to let you know that a Wholesale Limited Time Offer (LTO) Program is being introduced for grocery, convenience, duty free and hospitality sales channels starting P7 (September 13). An LTO is a supplier-led promotion on select products for a specified period of time to help drive sales.  

What you need to know:

• Suppliers/agents can start applying for the P7 – 10 LTOs on Monday, July 6. 

• Applications for P7-8 will close Friday, July 24. Applications for P9-10 will close on Friday, August 7.

• LTOs start on Sunday and end on Saturday of each LCBO fiscal week. LTOs can run for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks within a period. 

• Applicants are required to confirm that they meet all program requirements, including the ability to accurately forecast inventory and fulfill orders in a timely manner.

• Suppliers can choose which wholesale catalogue an LTO will be available in (grocery, convenience, duty free, hospitality). Suppliers can apply to have LTOs run simultaneously in one or more wholesale catalogues and LCBO Retail. 

• The discount must be a dollar amount per unit that is between 5-20% of the regular wholesale price. 

• Suppliers need to hold their wholesale prices before and after an LTO period.

• Starting September 13, hospitality licensees will now have their own wholesale LTO program. LCBO retail LTOs will be for consumers in store.

• Participating convenience, grocery and duty free customers are required to pass the savings on to the consumer for the duration of the promotional period. 

• Wholesale customers are not obligated to participate in the LTO program, and grocery and convenience cannot sell products below minimum retail pricing (as set out by regulations). 

• There are no changes to the LCBO Retail LTO Program (with the exception of it no longer being applicable to hospitality licensees) which is administered by LCBO’s Merchandising team. LCBO Convenience Outlets (LCOs) will continue to maintain LCBO Retail LTOs. 

More information and next steps:
The following video provides a summary of the program requirements and application process.  

On Monday, July 6, a trade update will be posted pointing to an LTO information page, application form and FAQs. Please stay tuned for more information.