A Windsor grocery store is included in a list of Ontario supermarkets that will start selling six packs of beer today.
The Real Canadian Superstore on Walker Road is offering a variety of different brands. The stores will eventually stock hundreds of beer varieties, with equal representation of Ontario's local or craft beer and multinational brands.
"This is a historic first step for our company and for the Ontario government, giving customers the greater convenience of shopping for groceries and beer in one stop,” said Grant Froese, Chief Operating Officer of Loblaw Companies Ltd. in a news release.
Ontario struck a deal with the Beer Store that will see as many as 450 grocery stores selling beer by 2017. The government is aiming to have up to 60 locations selling suds within the next two weeks.
Loblaw intends to allocate 50 per cent of shelf space to local or craft beer, and will provide additional opportunities for regional favourites on a store-by-store basis.
"With the opportunity to stock beer, we will become a destination for local and craft-beer lovers," said Froese. "We have found a great partner in The Ontario Craft Brewers."
It remains unclear which stores locally may be able to sell beer in the coming weeks, but the province has said there will be 16 stores in western Ontario as part of the first wave.
The Beer Store will continue to have exclusive rights to sell 12-packs and 24-packs.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
