Convenience Store Shopper Survey 2022
Convenience store shoppers across Canada are emerging from the pandemic with new daily routines, spending habits and expectations for their local convenience stores, according to insights from Convenience Store News Canada’s2022 C-Store IQ. Read the complete results here.
2022 Ontario Budget – Addressing Unregulated Tobacco
The Ontario government has been engaging a variety of industry, retail and public health stakeholders and Indigenous partners on the issue of unregulated tobacco. In addition, two independent Indigenous facilitators have submitted a report to the government summarizing their engagement with First Nations. The facilitators’ work highlights the importance of the tobacco economy for First […]
Convenience Store Distribution Challenges 2022
Independents are continually expressing their frustrations with the full-service distribution channel in Ontario. The past few months has been a real challenge for thousands of convenience stores to source the daily needs of many products for their local and loyal customers. At times independent stores are left to fend for themselves while full-service wholesalers ensure […]
LCBO Agency Store Issues – Letter To Minister Bethlenfalvy
Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, I am reaching out to you to highlight some of the issues the convenience stores in Ontario and the 400 LCBO Convenience Agency Stores are experiencing with little responses of understanding from the senior management of the LCBO. As a government monopoly, we need you to review the issues below as well […]
2022 Pre-Budget Submission
Below is a copy of the 2022 Consultation “Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs” — Please accept this document from the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. I am Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. It is a great opportunity every time I can present or participate in the […]
Contraband Tobacco – Convenience Retailers Voices Must be Heard
More than four years ago, in the lead up to the 2018 Ontario election, the then opposition PC Party campaigned they would get tough on contraband tobacco. We had great hopes that a Ford government would finally address this issue but have been disappointed by the lack of concrete action. This inaction has led to […]
Meet OLG’s new Chief Lottery and Customer Officer
The OCSA’s relationship with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) spans several decades. Over that time, we have maintained strong connections with OLG’s executive leadership and with the leaders dealing directly with our OCSA retail members. We want to introduce you to OLG’s new Chief Lottery and Customer Officer, Kerstin Lack. She joined the organization […]
OLG Announces 30% Commission on $3.00 Scratch/Instant Tickets
The OCSA is proud to partner once again with the Ontario Lottery where all convenience store retailers will receive a 30% commission on all $3.00 Instant Bingo and Instant Crossword tickets for the entire month of March. Following up with the success of Plinko last year, here is a great opportunity for retailers to garner […]
2022 Ontario Convenience Stores Board of Directors
The OCSA is proud to represent the economic interests of the entire Convenience store sector in Ontario and has elected their 2022 Board of Directors. Kenny Shim (President of OKBA) is pleased to Chair the 2022 Board and looks forward to bringing independents, regional chains together on the issues and opportunities for our members. The […]
Successful Pilot of Digital Age Verification
The OCSA in partnership with Liquid Avatar are proud to announce the successful completion of an end-to-end, live working test of the Smart Age program. The Smart Age program provides digital age verification, supported with biometric authentication for restricted product sales like lottery tickets, tobacco, alcohol and other goods and services through a mobile device […]