FAQs
General FAQ
What is a LCBO Convenience Outlet?
LCBO Convenience Outlets provide socially responsible beverage alcohol service in communities where residents do not otherwise have reasonable access to an LCBO store.
LCBO Convenience Outlets are not located in urban areas such as Toronto or in communities where a LCBO Store or Beer Store is within 5 kilometers.
The LCBO uses a competitive process to select a host business in the community. The host business is authorized by the LCBO to sell beverage alcohol in conjunction with other retail goods sold in the store. Beverage alcohol is not the focus of a LCBO Convenience Outlet but adjunct to the host business.
How are LCBO Convenience Outlet communities selected?
The LCBO, in consultation with the Government of Ontario, selects communities for LCBO Convenience Outlet service (not individual businesses). When selecting communities, several weighted factors are typically considered including the proximity to other beverage alcohol services. The current distance criterion is 5 km from an LCBO Store or a retail outlet of The Beer Store. Additionally, the LCBO factors in locations from communities that have made requests for an LCBO Store or for LCBO Convenience Outlet service.
Once the community has been identified, the LCBO releases a Request for Proposal (RFP) for retail businesses in those communities to apply for a LCBO Convenience Outlet authorization.
What is the LCBO’s Competitive Process for Business selection?
Responses will be processed and, subject to the selection process, an Operator may be selected for each Community. Respondents should note that, given the number of Responses that LCBO anticipates receiving in response to an RFP, LCBO may not process and evaluate all Responses at the same time.
At this time, the LCBO is not accepting any applications. If you would like to nominate your community or are a business owner that has an interest in applying, please email ConvenienceOutlets@lcbo.com
How does Past Performance for Current Store Operators impact the RFP?
As part of the technical criteria scoring, the LCBO will take into account the past performance of current store operators over the last five years. Points will be deducted for letters of noncompliance sent by the LCBO to a current store operator.
Where can I find more information about the LCBO Convenience Outlet (Agency Store) Program?
Further inquiries can be directed to the LCBO Convenience Outlet Department via e-mail: ConvenienceOutlets@lcbo.com.
How do I make a request to the LCBO to have my community considered for LCBO Convenience Outlet service?
If your community is not on the current or newly expanded list of authorized communities and you would like your community considered for service in the future, please submit a written letter of interest to the LCBO Convenience Outlet Department outlining the community you are proposing, the type of business you operate and other pertinent information, such as the population size, distance to the closest LCBO/Beer Store outlets, tourism, etc.
Your letter of interest can be directed:
Via e-mail at ConvenienceOutlets@lcbo.com
The LCBO maintains all requests for a LCBO Convenience Outlet on file. Should the LCBO further expand its LCBO Convenience Outlet network beyond the expanded list of communities in June 2019, and should your community be selected, the LCBO will notify you directly of its community selection and provide further information about the LCBO's competitive process.
Updated May 29, 2026
Uniform Pricing
What products will be impacted by this change to uniform pricing?
Starting June 1, LCBO Convenience Outlets will be able to set their own prices for RTDs, cider and beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage of 7.1% and under and wine with an ABV of 18% and under. The ABV level is available in the SKU information when you complete your order. It’s also available on the product label and/or lcbo.com. Minimum retail prices (MRP) will apply for these products. For the rules governing minimum retail pricing, refer to O. Reg (750/21) for other products.
What is minimum retail pricing?
Minimum retail pricing is the lowest price retailers are able to sell beverage alcohol. LCBO Convenience Outlets must comply with these provincial rules and ensure they do not price product below the minimum retail price.
How do I determine what is an RTD?
An RTD is a ready-to-consume beverage ≥0.5% ABV that is typically consumed from its container, or single poured, that could contain a base alcohol from wine, spirits, malt, cider and/or sugar-brews, to which other ingredients are added such as flavourings, water, juice, coffee, soda, cream, etc. This includes product styles like seltzers, sodas, iced teas, coolers, canned and premixed cocktails. RTDs are identified under the category header of Ready to Drink on Wholesale.lcbo.com.
LCOs can set their own prices for RTDs 7.1% ABV and under.
Will there be any changes to warehousing or distribution as it relates to uniform pricing?
No, uniform pricing rules do not impact warehousing or distribution.
Will Limited Time Offers (LTO) still be available for beer, cider, and RTDs with an ABV of 7.1% and under and wine with an ABV of 18% and under?
If the LCO purchases the product at the LTO discount, they are expected to pass along that exact discount to their customers. Further guidance and rules regarding Limited Time Offers will be provided in the coming weeks.
What products will be eligible for LTOs?
All Limited Time Offers in LCBO retail stores will continue to be available to LCOs at this time. Further guidance and rules regarding LTOs will be provided in the coming weeks.
Will we still recieve bin tags in Lexmark?
The LCBO is reviewing the Lexmark system and will provide an update shortly.
Can we still see LCBO's retail prices?
Yes. You may continue to view LCBO’s retail prices on lcbo.com. All LCBO retail prices will also continue to be visible on wholesale.lcbo.com at this time.
When will these changes go into effect?
You will be able to set your own prices on eligible products once you sign the amendment to your agreement sent to you by LCBO.
What happens if I don't sign the amendment?
Uniform pricing will continue to apply for all products (beer, wine, cider, and RTDs) at your LCO until June 26.