Convenience Connect - 2018 Vol. 4

Published: Wed, 07/25/18

Newly Elected PCs Committed to Putting Beer and Wine in Convenience Stores

The Progressive Conservatives announced during their first throne speech that beer and wine will soon be available in convenience stores in Ontario. As a result, retailers in our sector can expect these products to be made available to the channel eventually.

Here's how that process may unfold and the OCSA's role in it. Note that the Free Our Beer campaign from several years ago has been revised to suit the latest political climate.

How To Get Beer In Your Convenience Store

OCSA Teams Up With Crime Stoppers to Talk Contraband

The OCSA will be working with Crime Stopppers to curb the rise of contraband in Ontario.

The two parties seek to spread awareness about the impact that the illegal tobacco market has, the cost to taxpayers and the consequences of empowering organized crime by leaving contraband unchecked.

OCSA, Crime Stopper Unite

C-Stores Day Returns on August 29, 2018

The OCSA was recently among those honoured for a successful 2017 C-Stores Day that saw convenience stores across the country raise a whopping $82,000 for Children's Wish Foundation.

While we're proud of all of our retailers who participated in the event, we're equally excited to top that mark this year.

C-Stores Day Returns Next Month

OLG, OCSA Thrive In Latest Quarter

Convenience store retailers and the OLG together thrived last quarter, sporting an 18.6% increase in sales versus the same time last year. That's a testament to our channel's role in promoting and providing the products to customers.

What's even better is that customers were even luckier this year than they were last. We saw eight lotto max maxmillions this time around versus just four in the same period last year.

All told, convenience stores tallied an increase of 16.4% in commissions - good enough for $57.3 million more in the pockets of convenience store owners in our province.

The OCSA is proud to have such a solid relationship with OLG and is eager to continue working in unison toward our mutual objectives.

July 1st Vaping Changes Postponed

The changes to vaping rules that were set to take effect on July 1, 2018 have been postponed until further review by the Progressive Conservative government.

For details, including what the changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act might entail, visit our website.

Ontario's New Vaping Rules

Despite Packaging Study, Concerns Remain

The Canadian government has published an extensive study documenting the rationale behind the decision to push plain packaging protocols in Canada.

Despite the study, however, issues with plain packaging remain. Retailer concerns range from balancing the time and training required to implement a new system to compromised store security.

More About Study

Age Verification: Never Forget To Ask Explicitly

Retailers throughout Ontario need to be vigilant when it comes to age testing for tobacco and lottery everyday, and employees need to have the tools to insure they properly age test perceived underage customers (25 and under).

The OCSA has approval from Smoke-Free Ontario and all Public Health Units to display the following program on the counter in all stores to assist in age testing. This approved program protects employees and businesses from making any mistakes when it comes to selling age restricted products.

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