Ontario accelerates alcohol sales expansion to corner stores, starting Sept 5, with beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails, requiring a $225M payment to the Beer Store retail chain.

Ontario accelerates plans for alcohol sales in corner stores, with beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails set to be available in convenience stores, big-box stores, and an expanded number of grocery stores starting September 5. This will require a payment of up to $225 million to the brewery-owned Beer Store retail chain, which will be used to preserve jobs, keep stores open for recycling purposes, and support the private brewer-owned entity as Ontario transitions to a new model of alcohol sales.