LCBO invites bids from grocers to sell wine, beer and cider

TORONTO, June 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The LCBO today released a Request for Bids (RFB) for eligible Ontario grocery retailers wishing to sell wine, beer and cider. The RFB for as many as 70 locations has been posted on the procurement website, www.Biddingo.com.

The LCBO Request for Bids initiates a competitive process to select which grocers will be able to purchase wine, beer and cider from the LCBO for resale to the public.  This will be an open, fair and transparent process through which eligible grocery retailers will bid on the financial terms on which they will purchase wine, beer and cider from the LCBO. Successful bidders will then apply to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for an authorization(s) to sell wine, beer and cider.

Eligibility requirements are set out in regulation under the Liquor Control Act. Interested grocery retailers are asked to register and access the LCBO RFB at www.biddingo.com.  

The deadline for submissions to the RFB is August 5, 2016 no later than 10:00:59 am (Toronto Local Time).

LCBO has engaged the services of a fairness commissioner to provide oversight and advice to support integrity and fairness throughout the bidding process.

As many as 70 grocery stores are expected to be selected and authorized by the fall of 2016. 

The LCBO is an Ontario government enterprise and one of the world's largest buyers and retailers of beverage alcohol. Through its 654 retail stores, catalogues, special order services and more than 210 agency stores, which provide cost effective, convenient and socially responsible access for rural consumers; the LCBO offers nearly 24,000 products from more than 80 countries annually to consumers and licensed establishments.

LCBO transfers revenue from annual sales to the province in the form of a dividend. Through expansion and refreshing of our store network, together with improvements to operational efficiency and the customer shopping experience, the LCBO has been able to increase its fiscal return to the government and people of Ontario each year for 22 years. In fiscal 2015-16, LCBO recorded $5.57 billion in sales and delivered a record dividend to the province of $1.935 billion, excluding taxes. These revenues help pay for important public services including health care, education and investment in public infrastructure.

For more information on the LCBO, visit www.LCBO.com

SOURCE LCBO

Media inquiries: Christine Bujold, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator , Tel. [phone]; Cell: 416-587-3729; E-mail: [email protected]; Genevieve Tomney, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator, Tel. [phone]; Cell: 647 339 5428 E-mail: [email protected]