sources say the Liberals are reticent about any measures that could potentially make it easier for teenagers to get their hands on alcohol.
What a effen joke!
![:evil:](./images/smilies/icon_evil.gif)
This is discussed in the report as well. The recommendation is to split the retail and wholesale operations and auction off licenses for both parts. Ensuring that everyone gets reasonable access to the wholesale network is another question.One point that dosen't get made is about warehousing and distribution. Even if the LCBO closed all their stores in favour of private retail, I seriously doubt that they would give up the role of sole importer and distributor at wholesale. The private stores would have to buy their stock from the LCBO distribution warehouse much the same way as licensees do now.
Price? Cant beat the LCBO price, period.Cass wrote:Except, that if it was possible to get beer at Loblaws and Walmart we would have something previously unavailable, and that is competition. And I can't think of any competition that doesn't lead to a better enviornment for consumers (be it price, selection or convenience).A wrote:Well, considering the report recommended auctioning a limited number of licences per area, which they even admit would be snapped up by Walmart, Loblaws, and large gas stations, who cares? Do you really think we would see more selection from this?
Except that the report also advocates auctioning off wholesale licenses to the highest bidders as well.PRMason wrote:One point that dosen't get made is about warehousing and distribution. Even if the LCBO closed all their stores in favour of private retail, I seriously doubt that they would give up the role of sole importer and distributor at wholesale.
Walmart pays people $7/hour to stock shelves. You think they are going to hire a 'beer specialist'?inertiaboy wrote:What it would open up is the possibility that some of these stores will employ people who both know about good beer and will have some ability to stock it. It really only takes one or two of them to start to create that niche we are looking for. That would be a positive first step.Except, that if it was possible to get beer at Loblaws and Walmart we would have something previously unavailable, and that is competition. And I can't think of any competition that doesn't lead to a better enviornment for consumers (be it price, selection or convenience).
I would tend to agree. THe problem is that the LCBO is a large business with large overhead. So, they need large profits. The kind of stuff we would like to see up here wont bring in large profits, period.PRMason wrote:For all its faults, the LCBO is a meritocracy. If you get listed and can convince the store manager that it will sell- BOOM its on the shelf. If it doesn't sell enough, its gone. Most LCBO stores are pretty indulgent, in my experience and allow the product to find its market. Again, I can only speak for myself here, I really don't know the shite Esprit and others go through on the import side.
Interesting...when I read this the first thing that popped into my mind was the cab license situation in Toronto. From what I understand it's awful for everyone except those who have the precious licenses.A wrote:The only thing missing is selection. You arent going to get it by forcing companies to compete for extravantly-priced licences, which they will then be forced to cutback all but the most profitable selection in order to make enough money to make the whole effort worthwhile and profitable.
We must be spending too much time together, that was *precisely* the same example that popped into my head.Cass wrote:Interesting...when I read this the first thing that popped into my mind was the cab license situation in Toronto. From what I understand it's awful for everyone except those who have the precious licenses.A wrote:The only thing missing is selection. You arent going to get it by forcing companies to compete for extravantly-priced licences, which they will then be forced to cutback all but the most profitable selection in order to make enough money to make the whole effort worthwhile and profitable.
Cass wrote:I think everyone should email Sorbara and their MPP about why they outright rejected this: finance.communications@fin.gov.on.ca.
(Sounds to me like we're being told VERY STRONGLY that we benefit from zero change.)"It is our very strong view (I LOVE THAT PART!!) that the public interest of Ontarians is best served by the continued public ownership of the LCBO," said Sorbara.
Agreed, Walmart would never hire a beer specialist. But I can see someone in a Loblaws somewhere running a good beer section and carrying a wider selection, kind of like what is happening in Metro Joanette in Montreal. This wouldn't be a conscious decision by the Loblaws, rather a combination of an employee who wants to support the industry and of a knowledgeable clientele. It might not happen often, but there is the chance it could happen once or twice.inertiaboy wrote:Except, that if it was possible to get beer at Loblaws and Walmart we would have something previously unavailable, and that is competition. And I can't think of any competition that doesn't lead to a better enviornment for consumers (be it price, selection or convenience).
What it would open up is the possibility that some of these stores will employ people who both know about good beer and will have some ability to stock it. It really only takes one or two of them to start to create that niche we are looking for. That would be a positive first step.
Walmart pays people $7/hour to stock shelves. You think they are going to hire a 'beer specialist'?