LCBO strike: Wine Rack reports record sales

Wine Rack stores across Ontario are reporting “record sales” amid the ongoing LCBO strike, the company said Thursday.

In a statement to CP24.com, a spokesperson for the wine retailer said its Ontario stores had seen a “significant increase in customer traffic and demand” in the wake of industrial action by liquor store employees.

“To respond to this increased demand, Wine Rack has hired more workers to provide 24/7 support and replenish inventory as needed to ensure customer needs are met in all 164 stores,” the statement said.

The spokesperson added that Wine Rack has “optimized” its same-day delivery service on its website and offers ongoing promotions with its delivery partners, including UberEats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes.

All LCBO locations across the province have been closed since Friday after approximately 9,000 workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) walked off the job.

One of the biggest points of contention at the negotiating table at the time was the Ford government’s decision to expand alcohol retail in Ontario and allow corner stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages.

Mobile ordering through the LCBO website and app will continue to be available, allowing free home delivery anywhere in Ontario for the duration of the strike.

If no agreement can be reached between the two sides, only 32 LCBO stores across Ontario will be open for in-store shopping on July 19, but only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with “limited hours.”

Earlier this week, the provincial government released a searchable online map showing the 2,300 private outlets where Ontarians can still buy alcohol during the strike. The map drew strong criticism from union leaders, who accused the premier of trying to undermine collective bargaining.

“LCBO staff fully support the mom-and-pop shops and craft breweries, wineries and distilleries and we encourage people to visit them as well. But that is not what Ford is doing,” MacLeod said in a written statement released Monday.

“He is undermining the LCBO workers and this strike to hand the alcohol market over to the CEOs of big box stores, grocery stores and convenience chains so they can monopolize alcohol sales.”