Operational Aspects of Liquor Sales in Grocery Stores and Wine Boutiques

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Ontario Regulation 339/24 which governs liquor sales licensing in the province. The regulation introduces several changes to clarify and update the operational aspects of liquor sales, particularly in grocery stores and wine boutiques.

One key amendment is the introduction of a specific exception for the transfer of wine or spirits in subsection 35 (3) of Regulation 746/21. This amendment also revokes subsection 35 (3.1), streamlining the language concerning the transfer of these products. Additionally, the regulation adjusts licensing timelines by changing the years referenced in clauses 86 (1) (a) and (b) from 2032 to 2037 and from 2031 to 2036, respectively, ensuring consistency across the regulation.

The regulation outlines specific requirements for the in-person sale of liquor in grocery and convenience stores. Licensees must ensure that all aspects of liquor sales occur within the retail floor space of the store. For online orders, there must be a dedicated section for liquor on the store’s website or app, free from advertisements for other products. Furthermore, any liquor ordered must be sourced from the store’s inventory, with pickups limited to customers aged 19 and older during designated hours (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.).

In terms of display restrictions, subsections 89 (1.1) and (1.2) have been revoked and replaced with guidelines preventing energy drinks or products that promote immoderate liquor consumption from being displayed adjacent to liquor products, thereby mitigating the promotion of excessive drinking. The regulation also stipulates that wine, excluding cider and ready-to-drink beverages, cannot be sold at grocery stores except through designated wine boutiques. When customers order wine online, it must be through a dedicated section of the website or application, and no other products can be listed in that section. The pickup requirements for wine are consistent with those for liquor.

For wine boutiques, similar regulations apply, ensuring that online orders are conducted in a dedicated section of their websites or applications, adhering to specific advertising limitations. The pickup of wine must also follow the same regulations as other liquor, including age restrictions and designated hours. Moreover, the regulation amends subsection 130 (9) to clarify that liquor may only be delivered for a fee, specifying the conditions under which deliveries can take place.

Ontario Regulation 339/24 aims to improve the regulatory framework governing liquor sales in grocery stores and wine boutiques by introducing clearer operational guidelines. These changes aim to ensure responsible sales practices, promote safety, and maintain the integrity of the liquor licensing system in Ontario.

Ontario (339/24) September 14, 2024