Hello Donna,

New! Purchasing Portal for Convenience Stores

SRP has launched a new purchasing portal for convenience stores and they have a HUGE Black Friday sale to kick it off!!

⏰ Laker Holiday Sale

Deck your shelves with the ultimate holiday deal! Laker Ice, Laker Lager, and Laker Red are reducing in price throughout the holidays, giving your customers a lineup of quality beer at a festive discount.

Starting on December 9^th prices reduced by $0.10

Laker Ice 1x473ml - $2.35 -> $2.25

Laker Red 1x473ml - $2.35 -> $2.25

Laker Lager 1x473ml - $2.30 -> $2.20

On December 15^th prices will be reduced by an additional 13% due to the HST holiday tax break

Laker Ice 1x473ml - $2.25->$2.00

Laker Red 1x473ml - $2.25->$2.00

Laker Lager 1x473ml - $2.20->$1.95

GST/HST Information

The government of Canada has laid out all of the items that apply for the GST/HST break.

This tax exemption goes from December 14, 2024 through to February 15, 2025.

Here is the direct link for full information: Government of Canada Site

These items would qualify:

• Non-alcoholic drinks, such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices, and smoothies
• Eligible alcoholic beverages:
• Beer and malt beverages, for example, canned or bottled beer, pitchers of beer
• Wine, cider and sake (including fortified) that are 22.9% alcohol by volume (ABV) or less
• In detail: Wine and sake (including fortified)
• Spirit coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages that are 7% ABV or less
• In detail: Spirit coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages
• Energy or protein drinks and shakes, if they meet all of the following criteria:
• Compete directly with other similar products that are not enhanced by protein, caffeine, vitamins, and/or minerals (sold in a similar aisle in a store and are marketed in similar fashion)
• Considered by the average person to be a beverage to satisfy thirst
• Considered by Health Canada to be a beverage
• A gift basket that contains beverages and other items, if 90% or more of the total value of the basket corresponds to items that would have no GST/HST charged on them if they were supplied separately

What to do as a business that charges the GST/HST

From December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, do not charge the GST/HST on the qualifying goods and services listed above.

Keep your records and remit and report your regular GST/HST as usual.

Here is the direct link for full information: Government of Canada Site

⏰ Steam Whistle Holiday Sale

STEAM WHISTLE Pilsner 24x355ml

CSPC# 41628

$2 off a case between December 9 – December 23

BEAU’S BREWING Lug Tread 24x355ml

CSPC# 41627

$2 off a case between December 9 – December 23

AGCO Violations

The AGCO have been inspecting convenience store who have their license to sell alcohol and here are the top four violations that they are seeing:

Failing to meet signage requirements

Retailers MUST post three signs where the consumer can easily see them:

1. Their license from the AGCO
2. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder sign - click here to download
3. Location for Return of Empties - click here to download

Fines can be up to $6,000

Energy drinks are being placed near alcohol

As per the regulations, energy drinks are not allow to be placed beside alcoholic beverages. Please ensure you arrange your coolers/displays accordingly.

Fines can be up to $15,000

Failing to complete Training for all Staff handling alcohol

Alcohol Display Requirements - Small Producers

In an effort to support small producers in Ontario, there is a mandatory requirement for you to stock your shelves with these products.

This requirement is not just of what you have in your coolers, but also products that you have on the shelves or stacked on the floor.

BEER: At least 20% of the beer you stock on your shelves and cooers are produced by small breweries.

Ready-to-Drink (RTDs): At least 20% of the RTDs you stock on your shelves and coolers are produced by small producers.

Cider: At least 20% of the cider you stock on your shelves and coolers are produced by small producers.

Wine: At least 40% of the wine you stock on your shelves and coolers are VQA and of that, 10% must be from a small producer.

Small Wine Producers:

Chateau des Charmes

Vineland

Megalomaniac