Ontarians will be able to use Uber Eats to order from LCBO
Posted January 6, 2023 3:31 pm.
Last Updated January 6, 2023 7:57 pm.
Ontarians will now now be able to order up hundreds of different brands of alcohol from their local LCBO store for delivery using Uber Eats.
The provincial liquor agency tells CityNews this “time-limited pilot program” will enable eligible companies to enter into an agreement with the LCBO to “share product and sales information with the objective of providing an enhanced customer experience.”
Customers will have access to 546 different types of alcohol for delivery from the LCBO, everything from small beer kegs, to bottles of champagne, to 1.1 liter bottles of vodka. There will be a $5.49 delivery charge on top of the cost of the order.
The last time the LCBO offered deliver through an online app was in December of 2020 when it signed on with Skip the Dishes, though the Ford government quickly put a stop to that in a show of support for restaurants who were, and still are, allowed to sell alcohol through services like Uber Eats.
The new relationship between the LCBO and Uber Eats could be seen as a blow to local restaurants who are forced to sell food along with alcohol on delivery services, whereas the LCBO is not required to sell anything to eat.
Hmmm..so the rules for restaurants have always been that if customers want alcohol delivered, it must be accompanied with food. Pretty sure that rule won't apply to the LCBO, right @fordnation and @UberEats.?? Once again, not a level playing field. The big boys win.#notfair https://t.co/1GR3ckESjt
— Bistro On Avenue (@bistro_on) January 6, 2023
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Uber tells CityNews that its expanded the number of merchants offering alcohol on its platform in the past several weeks. Consumers 19 years of age and older are able to order spirits, wine, and beer for delivery to their doorstep. Prior to ordering alcohol through the app, a consumer has to confirm they are over 19. When the delivery is made, the consumer’s sobriety and age will be verified.
While local restaurants may take issue with the new arrangement, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada (MADD) is in support of the initiative, noting that it means drinkers won’t be driving themselves.
“Offering LCBO products on the Uber Eats platform is a safe and convenient option for legal-aged consumers,” said MADD. “Even one drink is one too many, so now, if they need something, they can have it delivered right to their door, rather than taking the risk of driving to the store impaired.”
