Hello Donna,

Convenience Show - March 4 & 5 Code "OCSA"

Use the code OCSA to get into the Convenience Tradeshow at no charge!

It will be held at the International Centre, Toronto

Click here to register

Tariff Talk - What to Do with American Alcohol if Things Fall Through

Canada and the USA are in tariff discussions, but if there is no agreement, here is what you need to know about American-made alcohol in your store

• Convenience and grocery stores will be allowed to sell through their inventory of American produced alcohol.

• LCO stores are under the banner of the LCBO and they will have to pull the products from their shelves. The LCBO will provide a full refund of the products returned.

• The GMS system will be updated so that you won't be able to place orders on these items.

Please note that many American brands are produced in Canada and will be available to order/sell.

👤 Lottery Ticket Theft is on the Rise

Lately, we've seen an uptick in a frustrating and costly problem—lottery ticket theft.

Thieves are getting bolder, grabbing scratch tickets and running out the door before you can react. It’s not just a one-off issue; these incidents are often part of a larger pattern.

Why you should call OLG and the police to report the theft:

·        Your theft could be linked to other robberies in the area and the information you provide assists in the police investigation for related thefts in the area.

·        OLG will flag the stolen product in their system which ensures those responsible for the theft are unable to claim big prizes.

What to do to mitigate the risk of lottery ticket theft?

·        Treat your lottery tickets like cash.

·        Only activate product as you need it.

·        Don’t put tickets on the counter until payment is fully received.

How to mitigate risk of credit card fraud?

·        Don’t allow manual entry on your payment device. This is how stolen credit card information is used. If a stolen credit card is entered, you will get charged back for the transaction. Talk to your provider to have this option removed.

·        Watch your customer as they complete the transaction on the payment device to ensure they are not using a manual entry method. It takes a couple of seconds to enter a PIN but much longer to enter a credit card number.

·        OLG has seen retailers lose up to $30,000 due credit card fraud through manual entry.

What are the big red flags that I need to be aware of with regards to Lottery ticket theft?

·        Do not put tickets on the counter until payment is received.

·        Do not activate product until necessary.

·        Customers buying a large volume of tickets with a credit card.

·        Customers creating a distraction to have you turn away from facing them or the counter. This is when they swap non-winning tickets for new tickets, manually enter a credit card or just take off with tickets that you have left on the counter without payment.

Protect yourself and always treat tickets like cash. Call OLG at 1-800-387-0104 for any unusual requests or behaviours related to Lottery products.

CRAFT CORNER

Brought to you by the Ontario Craft Brewers Associaion

Did you know Ontario is home to 320 craft breweries spread across every corner of the province? No matter where your store is located, a locally owned brewery is right in your backyard.

Why Stock Ontario Craft Beer?

Craft breweries are more than just beer makers—they're community builders. These small businesses create local jobs, invest in neighbourhoods, and craft high-quality, small-batch brews that customers love.

Plus, it's not just a great business move—it’s required.

The 20% Rule: What You Need to Know

The AGCO mandates that at least 20% of your beer shelf and display space be dedicated to Ontario craft breweries.

How to Identify Ontario Craft Beer

When ordering from the LCBO Grocery Management System (GMS):

✅ Look for the "small" producer designation—this beer qualifies toward your 20%.

Please note: The 20% allocation isn't just for your cooler. You must have 20% Ontario craft beer on your shelves and any pallets you have on your floor.

Which Craft Beers Should You Stock?

Customers love buying local, and featuring craft beer from nearby breweries can help boost your sales while fulfilling your requirement.

Click here to find the craft brewers in your area