Shoppers shocked as beer, wine fly off grocery store shelves
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Given how bare many of the alcohol shelves are, it’s no wonder the Ford government is rushing to get ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as large packs of beer, on grocery store shelves.
Ontario is a week and a half into a strike by LCBO workers, who show no signs of letting up, and things are already looking bleak in supermarkets.
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Wannabe shoppers are sharing their frustrations on social media with photos of the beer and wine sections at their local stores.
“Beer aisle at Loblaws, lol,” one user on X wrote while sharing two photos — one of shelves completely stripped of any stock, while the second shows what’s left: Cases of alcohol-free Budweiser Zero.
One person commented that their No Frills shelves were similar and laughed at the “dregs” that were left over: “Mostly light beers, including a light, fruity IPA that will clearly be last to go.”
Another added: “Metro looked like that last week.”
Others noted that Beer Stores are also being cleared out.
Footage from another Loblaws over the weekend shows more sad, lonely shelves.
“POV: You went to the grocery store to buy a bottle of wine … but you live in Ontario.”
Michelle Wasylyshen, national spokeswoman for Retail Council of Canada, told the Sun that the lack of beer and wine at grocers is not a supply chain issue.
“If consumers are seeing empty shelves, it’s because grocery stores have limited space to display alcohol products,” she said. “We aren’t experiencing any significant supply issues and shelves are being restocked in short order and on a regular basis.”
The LCBO also confirmed in a statement that customers can still make purchases online.
“We want this strike to end, remain committed to reaching an agreement with OPSEU (Ontario Public Service Employees Union) and encourage them to respond to our fair offer,” the statement said.
OPSEU, the union representing approximately 10,000 LCBO workers, responded that Premier Doug Ford is pushing his “alcohol-everywhere agenda” and determined to dismantle the LCBO by “handing billions in public revenues over to the big-box billionaires.
“We’re ready to head back to the bargaining table – as soon as Ford and the LCBO are prepared to bargain in good faith for a future that will protect good jobs and protect public revenues, as well as create more stable and permanent jobs,” OPSEU said in a statement. “It’s a future we wish for everyone.”
Ahead of the strike, Wine Rack stores across Ontario ordered more inventory and scheduled more in-store staff as well as geared up their same-day online delivery service to meet customer demand.
The Toronto Sun reached out to Loblaw for more details, but did not hear back by Tuesday afternoon.
Starting Thursday, Ford said that thirsty Ontarians will be able to purchase ready-to-drink cocktails at the 450 existing grocery stores that already sell alcohol — two weeks ahead of the Aug. 1 planned launch.
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