OCSA has been a strong supporter of the Convenience U show for the last 19 years and is pleased to offer free admissions to independent retailers from all over Ontario with the access code OCSA. Be sure to visit us at Booth #5157 to discuss industry issues, retailer ideas, and new concepts for thousands of family run stores.

The OCSA will be hosting a retailer dinner right after the show on March 7th (6:00 pm) in the International Centre’s main ballroom which will be sponsored by our friends at Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG). Duncan Hannay, CEO OLG, will be our host speaker and will discuss the opportunities for retailers to sell their largest category and upsell new products and promotions in every community. If you plan on joining us, please call Donna Montminy at 905 845 9152 to ensure your name is on the dinner invitation list for entrance to the event.

Recommended Day Two (2) Workshop – If you are attending Day 2, the OCSA highly recommends that all retailers sign up for Sean Sportun Speaker event as it is very pertinent to your business ‘Increase you security, increase your sales: Responding to escalating violence in retail’ Safety and security is the most important issue facing C stores in Ontario. 

Dave Bryans, CEO OCSA, will address the retailers on areas of importance for your business going forward and answer your questions as we discuss the convenience store industry. Contraband tobacco, credit card fees, new products and innovation as well as exciting lottery initiatives. We hope you join us, but please note space will be limited to the first 100 retailers and guests to this open dinner event. 
 

The OCSA has sent the attached a letter to the Minister of Finance prior to the upcoming Ontario budget. 

The letter is reminding the government of their commitment to expand beverage alcohol into our channel, as well as asking the government to *not* renew the Beer Stores retailing agreement. 

If you can recall the past government signed an exclusive deal called the MFA agreement with the Beer Stores and their owners. We are now in the year where the government must declare if they are going to extend this exclusive
deal or advise the Beer Store owners that there will be no renewal going forward.

I am confident that most Ontarians would like to see this agreement finally come to an end and see a
complete review of the beverage alcohol wholesaling and retailing business models. It would be a step in the right direction if we could bring Ontario into the modern world of convenience, competition and access like Canadians in provinces across the country.

There is no better way to draw customers to your stores than a well-executed lottery sales program working in conjunction with your local OLG representative or contact. 

The $100 millionaire tickets for the Q4 2022 program are a great example of incremental commissions for retailers throughout Ontario. Convenience stores represent almost 80% of all lottery sales in Ontario and OLG is committed to new retailer programs and incentives, creating additional opportunities for more commission dollars.

The OLG plans to introduce and test self-serve terminals in 2023 and encourage the 'higher volume'
independent stores to work with their local representatives to participate in a self-serve program.

Duncan Hannah, CEO of the OLG, will be our keynote speaker at the OCSA retailer dinner at Convenience U and we are excited to hear from him on opportunities and success going forward.

We are so pleased to announce the new 2023 OCSA Board of Directors, elected by the members
on February 15, 2023. 

Congratulations to all the retailers who have stepped up to represent the interests of thousands of the independent convenience stores in Ontario where we will continue to work with the Ford Government on opportunities, issues and innovation for consumers throughout Ontario. 

Please meet your new Board:

Executive Members

• Chair: Terry Yaldo, MidWay Convenience Windsor
• Vice Chair: Michael Carroll, McDougall Energy 
• Treasurer: Thomas Sheehan, Eniiskillen Stores
• Secretary: Kenny Shim, OKBA

Directors

• Anthony Magnini, Gateway Gas Bar
• Jody Rubino, WO Station
• Sandip Patel, Shell Bracebridge
• Steven Pletcher, Port Albert General Store
• Manish Thackker, Vani's Convenience
• Tony Gallo, New York News
• Eyvind Dhal, Dhal's Convenience

This agreement was signed by the previous government, granting specific rights to the owners of the Beer Store in the areas of retailing and distribution.  

This was a solid 10 year agreement with very expensive escape clauses that has caused the present government to abide by the many conditions or face financial penalties forcing the current administration to delay the expansion of beverage alcohol to convenience stores.

As part of this agreement, by September 2023 the Ontario government must notify the owners of the Beer Stores if they intend to renew the agreement or give notice that the MFA will not be renewed in 2025. 

It is imperative that every retailer and distributor, as well as Craft brewers, distillers, wineries etc,
contact their local MPP’s and ask them to *not* renew the agreement and instead move forward with a complete beverage review. 

We need to see Ontario catch up to the rest of the developed retail world and allow for competition, convenience and customer choice in every community.

The OCSA has been representing the thousands of family run stores in Ontario for 38 years, and will continue to lead on this file to ensure hard working families are first to be granted the rights to sell beer, wine and RTDs (Ready to Drink) in your communities.

We need your support as we move closer to a better convenience store business model responsibly selling beverage alcohol products in Ontario.

OCSA brings a great cost saving program to independent convenience stores across the province having negotiated a blanket low costs program for OCSA members on transaction fees. 

Please visit this link to discuss your rates and business. Even present Moneris clients should take the opportunity to explore the
OCSA rates for your business, you might be pleasantly surprised. 

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) works year-round to advocate for convenience stores throughout the province, supporting large and small family-run business alike, communicating with the government on relevant files and innovating ways to push the channel forward.

Among the OCSA's current projects are securing beer and wine in convenience stores, advocating for a larger portion of lottery commissions and working with the appropriate authorities to spread awareness about the negative impacts of contraband tobacco.

Your voice is welcome. Join the OCSA today!