Canadian Retail Thread

[SpongeG]

the Dollar Giant just over the border had frozen foods, everything was $1, now they have expanded their prices so they go up to $5, I never saw the steak though. They do have frozen meat stuff though, chicken tenders or like burger patties which were beef but made of beef heart and other parts apparently.

[casper]

US Influencers cross over into Canada to experience Dollarama...


• Video Link

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Do they serve you champagne and caviar upon entry into the store???

We already have 12 Dollaramas in Moncton, and we're about to get another one. I mean WTF!!! There is one spot on Paul Street in Dieppe where if you know where to look, you can see signage for three Dollaramas at the same time (Champlain Place, Petitcodiac Plaza and Superstore Mall). That's getting a bit much........

Same thing with Mickey D's. Our 12th McDonalds is now under construction. The new one is on Mountain Road, only about a 10 minute walk from my place. It will be the third McDonalds on Mountain Road. That's getting a tad excessive, don't you think???

Timmins with a population of 42,000 has 5 Dollarama locations. We also have one Dollar Tree store. Greater Moncton is 3.75 times larger in population than Timmins. So Moncton could have 18 or 19 locations.

And to add to the excitement of the two cities, both have an excessive amount of Tim Hortons locations. I haven't looked at the numbers lately but it was always pretty close per capita between our two places.

[harls]

LCBO revenue declining by hundreds of millions of dollars, Ontario 2026 budget reveals

Ontario’s 2026 budget revealed a drop in revenue for the province’s liquor corporation. LCBO is losing hundreds of millions as the province expands alcohol sales to other retailers. CBC's Lane Harrison has the details — and reaction.

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7143852

How very odd. Open up sales of booze to corner stores and the monopoly's stranglehold somehow drops?

Also, young people don't drink like they used to.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by harls

LCBO revenue declining by hundreds of millions of dollars, Ontario 2026 budget reveals

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7143852

How very odd. Open up liquor sales to corner stores and the monopoly's stranglehold somehow drops?

I'm sure the solution will be to kill the LCBO and let anyone sell hard booze.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by harls

LCBO revenue declining by hundreds of millions of dollars, Ontario 2026 budget reveals



https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7143852

How very odd. Open up sales of booze to corner stores and the monopoly's stranglehold somehow drops?

Also, young people don't drink like they used to.

A lot of people have quit drinking due to the cost and it being something that can be more easily cut out of the budget over food.

I've been hearing that many grocery stores in Ontario have had poor beer and wine sales as even a 6 pack of low-end beer is quite pricey. The only thing I would consider buying now is the cheapest wine at the LCBO that is half-decent and usually from Argentina, Chile, Spain or Portugal. Maybe a bottle or two of Ontario VQA wine here and there.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Loco101

A lot of people have quit drinking due to the cost and it being something that can be more easily cut out of the budget over food.

I've been hearing that many grocery stores in Ontario have had poor beer and wine sales as even a 6 pack of low-end beer is quite pricey. The only thing I would consider buying now is the cheapest wine at the LCBO that is half-decent and usually from Argentina, Chile, Spain or Portugal. Maybe a bottle or two of Ontario VQA wine here and there.

There's a steady drop in sales of alcohol in Ontario over the past four years of data, and a dramatic drop between 2023/24 and 2024/25. (Stats Can data here). There was a drop from $762m to $711m in value, and a reduction in the volume bought per capita.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by Loco101

A lot of people have quit drinking due to the cost and it being something that can be more easily cut out of the budget over food.

I've been hearing that many grocery stores in Ontario have had poor beer and wine sales as even a 6 pack of low-end beer is quite pricey. The only thing I would consider buying now is the cheapest wine at the LCBO that is half-decent and usually from Argentina, Chile, Spain or Portugal. Maybe a bottle or two of Ontario VQA wine here and there.

I've been buying grocery store six packs, just because it's very convenient vs making another stop. But since I've mostly switched to sticking with 1 light beer instead of craft selections (diet ), I went to the Beer Store for a case and was surprised at the difference once I paid attention.

What got me looking into it, is that the grocery store for some reason has Sleeman 2.0 for $2 MORE than full strength Sleeman.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by jonny24

I've been buying grocery store six packs, just because it's very convenient vs making another stop. But since I've mostly switched to sticking with 1 light beer instead of craft selections (diet ), I went to the Beer Store for a case and was surprised at the difference once I paid attention.

What got me looking into it, is that the grocery store for some reason has Sleeman 2.0 for $2 MORE than full strength Sleeman.

Grocery store pricing can be pretty crazy and not make any sense. They are often hoping that people just buy beer without looking at the price.

The LCBO now sells cases of beer at their regular stores and usually for less than The Beer Store. For example, with taxes and deposit included, a case of 28 Molson Canadian is $53.07 at The Beer Store and is $47.95 at the LCBO.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Loco101

Grocery store pricing can be pretty crazy and not make any sense. They are often hoping that people just buy beer without looking at the price.

The LCBO now sells cases of beer at their regular stores and usually for less than The Beer Store. For example, with taxes and deposit included, a case of 28 Molson Canadian is $53.07 at The Beer Store and is $47.95 at the LCBO.

In a couple of days, the new 2% federal tax increase is supposed to kick in. Better stock up now.

In Québec they seem to have a lot of intermittent discounts on Stella and Heineken for some reason (like $32 for a two-four, then next week it's like 47 bucks).

Just looked at my local flyer and saw this:



That's $46 bucks with no tax or deposit, and if you are feeling feisty you can get 3 bucks back if you return your cans, so.. $43.

[Loco101]

I remember up until fairly recently when deposit on cans in Quebec was 5 cents per can and you could return them in Ontario and get 10 cents. But I think it's also 10 cents a can now in Quebec.

Ontario is still the only place I'm aware of where cans cost more than bottles and it has been that way for as long as I can remember.


30 cans of (tax and deposit included):


Budweiser

LCBO: $56.95

The Beer Store: $58.36 (on sale price)

Coors Light

LCBO: $59.95

The Beer Store: $61.75

Sleeman Clear 2.0:

LCBO: $59.95

The Beer Store: $61.75

I can tell that the ad/flier is for IGA as it shows Scene points and the font is what you will
see used for the chains owned by Sobeys. While all grocery stores in Timmins and most convenience stores sell beer, I can't find anything online that shows their prices. But their prices are normally if not always higher than the LCBO and Beer Store.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Loco101

I remember up until fairly recently when deposit on cans in Quebec was 5 cents per can and you could return them in Ontario and get 10 cents. But I think it's also 10 cents a can now in Quebec.

Ontario is still the only place I'm aware of where cans cost more than bottles and it has been that way for as long as I can remember.


30 cans of (tax and deposit included):


Budweiser

LCBO: $56.95

The Beer Store: $58.36 (on sale price)

Coors Light

LCBO: $59.95

The Beer Store: $61.75

Sleeman Clear 2.0:

LCBO: $59.95

The Beer Store: $61.75

I can tell that the ad/flier is for IGA as it shows Scene points and the font is what you will
see used for the chains owned by Sobeys. While all grocery stores in Timmins and most convenience stores sell beer, I can't find anything online that shows their prices. But their prices are normally if not always higher than the LCBO and Beer Store.

Yep that was IGA. It seems that all the chains (Metro-SuperC/Loblaws-Maxi/IGA/Sobeys) are all in sync. You discount this thing this week, we do it the next. This isn't exclusive to beer.

[casper]

Originally Posted by harls

Yep that was IGA. It seems that all the chains (Metro-SuperC/Loblaws-Maxi/IGA/Sobeys) are all in sync. You discount this thing this week, we do it the next. This isn't exclusive to beer.

Most of the time the discount is actually from the manufacture. Usually its to complex to discount within the supply chain, so the manufacture goes to the retailer and says if you drop the product by 10% we will cut you a cheque at the end of the week based on the volume you sold.

The manufacture then cycles through all the major retailers alternating in different weeks.

[Innsertnamehere]

I just bought 48 Budweiser cans at Costco last night for $66.99+HST and deposit. Works out to $1.67 a beer.

Pre-store liberalization in 2024, a 24 of Budweiser at the Beer store was like $60 (including HST and Deposit). That's $2.50 a beer!

Alcohol prices have come down a lot in the last few years through the liberalization and I think that's a big reason the LCBO is losing revenue - Ford has forced it down by shifting sales from in-store to through wholesalers, then forcing down the wholesale markup, and holding alcohol taxes flat throughout it.

[Loco101]

I'm looking to see what Foodland (part of Sobeys) has for beer in their flyer for beer and they have:

12 talls cans of Moosehead for $28.99

6 tall cans of Budweiser for $15.99

6 tall cans of Miller Lite for $17.99

and that doesn't include taxes and deposit.

I don't know why there are no cases featured in the flyer.


Your Independent Grocer (part of Loblaws) has:

12 tall cans of Coors Original for $30.00

12 bottles of Corona for $28.00

6 tall cans of Stella Artois for $17.99

Again, taxes and deposit not included.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

I just bought 48 Budweiser cans at Costco last night for $66.99+HST and deposit. Works out to $1.67 a beer.

Pre-store liberalization in 2024, a 24 of Budweiser at the Beer store was like $60 (including HST and Deposit). That's $2.50 a beer!

Alcohol prices have come down a lot in the last few years through the liberalization and I think that's a big reason the LCBO is losing revenue - Ford has forced it down by shifting sales from in-store to through wholesalers, then forcing down the wholesale markup, and holding alcohol taxes flat throughout it.

I would hope that Costco has a better price.

I haven't noticed a drop in prices but then again I've bought very little beer and wine in the last couple of years. I don't drink liquor or coolers. I've just noticed that everything is expensive. Haven't seen any good deals at any grocery or convenience store. Costco sounds like the way to go.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Alcohol prices have come down a lot in the last few years through the liberalization and I think that's a big reason the LCBO is losing revenue - Ford has forced it down by shifting sales from in-store to through wholesalers, then forcing down the wholesale markup, and holding alcohol taxes flat throughout it.

This is the case in Ontario, but in Quebec, beer prices are just about par now with them. They used to be insanely cheaper.

How much does a 4 can pack of Guinness cost in Hamilton? Here it's 16 bucks, plus tax, plus deposit.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by harls

This is the case in Ontario, but in Quebec, beer prices are just about par now with them. They used to be insanely cheaper.

How much does a 4 can pack of Guinness cost in Hamilton? Here it's 16 bucks, plus tax, plus deposit.

$14.99 at Metro in Timmins plus tax and deposit

I also noticed on Metro's website that a six pack of tall Sapporo has a regular price of $19.99 but is on sale for $21.99 !! (classic Canadian grocery store sale)

I don't know how to copy and paste it but I found it here: https://www.metro.ca/en/online-grocery/aisles/beer-wine/beer-cider/imported-beer

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by harls

This is the case in Ontario, but in Quebec, beer prices are just about par now with them. They used to be insanely cheaper.

How much does a 4 can pack of Guinness cost in Hamilton? Here it's 16 bucks, plus tax, plus deposit.

$14.79 plus tax and deposit at BC Liquor store. $25.49 for the 8 can pack.

[harls]

This is a pic I took in 2009. 21 bucks for a two-four. Damn. Good luck finding it for under 40 bucks now.

Inflation sucks, but it shouldn't suck that much. Oh well, better for my health and belly.