Ontario c-stores gain in-store buying access at The Beer Store
Ontario convenience stores will soon have a new way to restock beer: by walking into The Beer Store.
Starting April 4, licensed c-stores can purchase eligible products in-store from the convenience store catalogue, marking a shift from the previous system, in which inventory could only be ordered through the wholesale online platform operated by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
“The Beer Store will reach out to c-stores in the coming days with more information,” the LCBO told CSNC in an email. To purchase in-store, “c-stores must have their convenience customer licence number and government-issued ID.”
The option—available through Dec. 31, 2030—gives operators more flexibility to quickly replenish shelves and respond to local demand between deliveries.
The change comes as the LCBO rolls out wholesale.lcbo.com, which is now live as its new ordering and claims portal, replacing the Grocery Management System (GMS), for both licensed convenience and grocery stores. The platform is designed to streamline purchasing, offer clearer visibility into product availability and pricing, and introduce a wholesale pricing model based on supplier costs with standardized markups.
Access is being phased in this week, with all c-store operators expected to be onboarded by April 4.
The in-store Beer Store option applies only to convenience stores.
Beer accounts for 60% to 90% of beverage alcohol sales, both independent and chain c-store operators have shared with CSNC.
