News
September 03, 2025
Grocery stores say it's too costly and complex to take empties. How does the Beer Store do it?
Some major grocery chains claim the cost and complexity of managing returns is causing them to reconsider selling alcohol in advance of a Jan. 1 deadline, set by the province, that requires all grocers selling booze to take empties.
**Grocery Stores Balk at "Empties" Return Program: Cost and Complexity Cited**
Major grocery chains in the province are raising concerns about the impending requirement to accept empty alcohol containers, potentially jeopardizing their ability to sell beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. A January 1st deadline looms, mandating that all grocery stores selling alcohol must also participate in the province-wide deposit return program, commonly known as "taking empties."
While the Beer Store has successfully managed this system for decades, grocery retailers argue that implementing a similar program within their existing infrastructure presents significant financial and logistical challenges. Some chains are even hinting at the possibility of pulling alcohol products from their shelves altogether rather than comply with the new regulation.
The core of the issue lies in the perceived cost and complexity of handling the returns. Grocery stores, unlike the Beer Store, typically operate with limited backroom space. Dedicating areas for sorting, storing, and processing empty bottles and cans requires significant renovations and potentially reduces valuable shelf space for other products.
Furthermore, retailers are worried about the staffing requirements. Training employees to properly identify eligible containers, handle potentially messy returns, and manage the associated refunds adds another layer of complexity. Concerns also exist about potential fraud and the need for robust security measures to prevent abuse of the system.
The Beer Store, with its dedicated network of return facilities and experienced staff, has a well-established system in place. Grocery stores, on the other hand, would need to build this infrastructure from the ground up, facing considerable upfront investment and ongoing operational expenses.
The province introduced the mandate with the intention of increasing convenience for consumers and promoting environmental sustainability through higher return rates. However, the current pushback from grocery retailers raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of the program in its current form.
Negotiations between the grocery industry and the province are likely underway to find a solution that addresses the concerns of retailers while still achieving the government's environmental goals. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether consumers will continue to find their favorite alcoholic beverages alongside their groceries, or if they will be forced to make a separate trip to the Beer Store for their purchases and returns. The future of alcohol sales in grocery stores hangs in the balance.
Major grocery chains in the province are raising concerns about the impending requirement to accept empty alcohol containers, potentially jeopardizing their ability to sell beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. A January 1st deadline looms, mandating that all grocery stores selling alcohol must also participate in the province-wide deposit return program, commonly known as "taking empties."
While the Beer Store has successfully managed this system for decades, grocery retailers argue that implementing a similar program within their existing infrastructure presents significant financial and logistical challenges. Some chains are even hinting at the possibility of pulling alcohol products from their shelves altogether rather than comply with the new regulation.
The core of the issue lies in the perceived cost and complexity of handling the returns. Grocery stores, unlike the Beer Store, typically operate with limited backroom space. Dedicating areas for sorting, storing, and processing empty bottles and cans requires significant renovations and potentially reduces valuable shelf space for other products.
Furthermore, retailers are worried about the staffing requirements. Training employees to properly identify eligible containers, handle potentially messy returns, and manage the associated refunds adds another layer of complexity. Concerns also exist about potential fraud and the need for robust security measures to prevent abuse of the system.
The Beer Store, with its dedicated network of return facilities and experienced staff, has a well-established system in place. Grocery stores, on the other hand, would need to build this infrastructure from the ground up, facing considerable upfront investment and ongoing operational expenses.
The province introduced the mandate with the intention of increasing convenience for consumers and promoting environmental sustainability through higher return rates. However, the current pushback from grocery retailers raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of the program in its current form.
Negotiations between the grocery industry and the province are likely underway to find a solution that addresses the concerns of retailers while still achieving the government's environmental goals. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether consumers will continue to find their favorite alcoholic beverages alongside their groceries, or if they will be forced to make a separate trip to the Beer Store for their purchases and returns. The future of alcohol sales in grocery stores hangs in the balance.
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Business