A two-week advance in the rollout of Ontario’s new liquor retailing regime comes with some swing space allowance for the 450 grocery stores that are already licensed to sell wine, beer and cider. These businesses had been afforded the flexibility to begin selling pre-mixed alcohol beverages and large beer packs with up to 30 containers beginning August 1, but the Ontario government has now moved that date forward to July 18.

“This is an important milestone for grocery retailers and consumers alike as we continue our work modernizing Ontario’s alcohol marketplace,” says Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy.

To help accommodate the earlier arrival of product, retailers have been granted temporary leeway to shelve liquor stock in various, non-contiguous areas “with some limits”. Normally, the rules dictate that alcohol must be organized by product category and displayed in one delineated section of the store.

Convenience stores that have obtained licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario can begin selling wine, beer, cider and pre-mixed alcohol beverages on September 6, with the remainder of grocery stores to follow on November 1.