ENTERTAINING SOLUTIONS AND UNIQUE BOTTLES TOP LCBO'S HOLIDAY GIFT LINE-UP

TORONTO, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - LCBO makes both entertaining and gift giving easier this holiday season with solutions-based gift packs and uniquely designed bottles during the ENJOY The Holidays! promotion taking place in all 615 stores until the end of year.

During ENJOY The Holidays!, LCBO has solutions for every festive occasion, offering its best-ever selection of beverage alcohol gift packs - 150 in total, ranging in price from $3.75 to $359 to suit every budget. The selection features many new items, including gift packs designed to take the guess work out of hosting a party. iBar, for example, is available only at the LCBO and is a portable instant bar with five top-selling premium spirits and downloadable cocktail recipes, to make holiday entertaining a breeze for less than $40. Vincor's Holiday Celebration Kit, Jacob's Creek Entertaining Pack, which includes four bottles of the Australian winery's favourites, Graffigna Centenario Reserve Entertaining Pack, consisting of four Argentinean wine classics, and the Vex Holiday Party Pack are other examples of how holiday entertaining is being made simple this year.

New items also include specialty and limited edition bottles, like Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old Christian Lacroix Edition, Absolut Glimmer, Malibu Snowflake, Grand Marnier Limited Edition Bottle and Pillitteri Cabernet Merlot Limited Edition. Other gifts of note are 360 Double Chocolate Vodka, Hennessy Black Cognac, Radeberger Pilsner Mini-Keg, Moët Imperial Ice Bucket Gift Set, Colio Lake & River Cabernet Franc Series with Scarf Gift Set and No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Gift Pack. Rounding out the offering are 36 unique premium beer gift packs, including the Muskoka Sampler Five-Pack and the new OCB Discovery Pack - Holiday Edition, which features six different beers from six Ontario craft brewers. It is sold exclusively in LCBO stores.

Vintages, the LCBO's fine wine and premium spirits business unit, is featuring 24 festive gifts as part of their special holiday collection, including the Bordeaux Discovery Chest, Mike Weir Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2008 and Chardonnay 2008 gift pack, Alexander Venus White Grappa, as well as many aged whiskies and fine Cognacs.  

LCBO predicts many consumers will "buy local" this holiday season, carrying on a trend seen throughout 2010. Champagnes and sparkling wines will continue to be popular, with 30 per cent of LCBO's annual sales of sparkling wine and Champagne taking place in November and December. Liqueurs and premium products are also expected to be in demand.

LCBO gift cards are always a safe option. This year, for their convenience, customers can purchase gift cards at all LCBO stores, as well as at all Shoppers Drug Mart and select Longos locations. Holiday gift certificates in any denomination for LCBO in-store special events such as wine appreciation courses, tutored tastings and cooking classes presented at its eight stores with event kitchens also make wonderful gifts. And, as in year's past, LCBO offers the finishing touch with an appealing assortment of festive gift boxes, bags and vessels.

During ENJOY The Holidays!, LCBO provides the complete selection of holiday gifts, as well as stress-free, inspiring responsible entertaining tips and recipes in its holiday gift guide which can be found online at www.lcbo.com. Entertaining suggestions are also available in the Holiday 2010 FOOD & DRINK and in a holiday cocktail recipe booklet available in stores while quantities last.

Last December, LCBO sales totaled $556 million, or 14 per cent of total annual sales. The average per person transaction at LCBO stores in December was $46, compared to $37 during the rest of the year. The biggest selling day during the holiday period in 2009 was December 23, with sales of almost $43 million. December 24 was close behind at $42 million.

"Deflate the Elephant," LCBO's social responsibility advertising campaign, will again hit the web, airwaves, street and LCBO stores to promote safe and enjoyable celebrations this holiday season.  Visit www.deflatetheelephant.com for responsible hosting solutions and non-alcoholic mocktail recipes.

For more information on ENJOY The Holidays!, featured products and recipes, call the toll-free, bilingual LCBO Customer Service at 1-800-ONT-LCBO (668-5226). In Toronto, call 416 365-5900, visit your nearest LCBO store or go online to www.lcbo.com/service. The TTY number for the deaf and hard of hearing is 416 864-6898 or 1-800-361-3291. 

Consumers are reminded to bring a reusable bag when shopping at the LCBO and to take empty beverage alcohol containers (large and small glass bottles, PET plastic, Tetra Paks, bag-in-box and cans) to The Beer Store for a full deposit refund.  

For further information:

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Trina Hendry, Media Relations Consultant, Marketing and Customer Insights
Tel. [phone]; Cell: 416 358-0357; E-mail:[email protected]

Chris Layton, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator, Corporate Communications
Tel. [phone]; Cell: 416 587-3729; E-mail:[email protected]