The Beer Store has announced another slew of closures set to take place in mid-November, including at one location in Brampton.听
Seven stores will shut their doors on Nov. 16 and are the latest in a long list of closures by the beer retailer so far this year.听
The company, owned by brewers Sleeman, Molson and Labatt, is making the changes as 鈥減art of marketplace expansion,鈥 according to Ozzie Ahmed, the Beer Store’s vice president of retail, in .听
Some major grocery chains claim the cost and complexity of managing returns is causing them to
鈥淭o meet the needs of an evolving retail market, The Beer Store is making the difficult decision to close retail locations and is committed to meeting the requirements of the Early Implementation Agreement,鈥 said Ahmed.
The latest announcement will see locations shut down in Alexandria, Barrie, Brampton, Beaverton, Cornwall, Gananoque, and South River.听
The closures follow the Doug Ford government鈥檚 decision to expand alcohol sales to corner stores last year.听The province also struck a $225-million agreement with the Beer Store to help stabilize the company through the changes.听
The Beer Store has closed more than 60 locations so far this year, but about 300 stores across the province remain open.
鈥淲e know this is difficult news for consumers, recyclers and our employees,鈥 said Ahmed.
The Beer Store said it will ensure that their employees receive adequate support through the process 鈥渋n alignment with commitments and agreements.鈥
The retailer has also launched a new “Empty Return Locator” on its , which customers can use to find a store or an alternative option to return empties. Under the agreement with the province, the company will remain the province’s official recycler of alcohol empties until at least 2031.
AA
Amarachi Amadike聽is a staff reporter based in Toronto. He
can be reached at聽aamadike@thestar.ca.听
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation