Consumers shocked by disappearance of beer and wine from supermarket shelves

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Given the shortage of alcohol on many shelves, it’s no wonder the Ford government is rushing to put ready-to-drink cocktails, along with big packs of beer, on grocery store shelves.

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In Ontario, LCBO workers have been on strike for a week and a half with no signs of abating, and the situation already looks bleak in supermarkets.

Potential buyers are sharing their frustrations on social media with photos of the beer and wine aisles at their local stores.

“The beer aisle at Loblaws lol,” wrote one user on X, sharing two photos: one showing shelves completely devoid of any stock, while the second shows what’s left: cases of non-alcoholic Budweiser Zero.

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One person pointed out that their No Frills shelves were similar and poked fun at the “leftovers”: “Mostly light beers, including a light, fruity IPA that will definitely be the last to go.”

Another added: “The subway looked like this last week.”

Others have noted that beer stores are also being emptied.

Images from another Loblaws taken over the weekend show even sadder and more lonely shelves.

“Point of view: You went to the grocery store to buy a bottle of wine…but you live in Ontario.”

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The LCBO confirmed in a statement that customers can still make purchases online.

“We want this strike to end, we remain committed to reaching an agreement with OPSEU (Ontario Public Service Employees Union) and we encourage them to respond to our fair offer,” the statement said.

OPSEU, the union that represents about 10,000 LCBO workers, responded that Premier Doug Ford is pushing his “alcohol everywhere agenda” and is determined to dismantle the LCBO by “handing over billions of dollars in taxpayer revenue to corporate billionaires.”

“We are ready to return to the bargaining table as soon as Ford and the LCBO are ready to negotiate in good faith for a future that protects good jobs and government revenues, and creates more stable and permanent jobs,” OPSEU said in a statement. “That’s a future we want for everyone.”

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Ahead of the strike, Ontario Wine Rack stores ordered more inventory and staffed more stores, while also improving their same-day online delivery service to meet customer demand.

Meanwhile, the province’s grocery sector had “a lot going on,” according to the Retail Council of Canada.

THE The Toronto Sun I reached out to Loblaw for more details but did not hear back as of Tuesday afternoon.

Starting Thursday, Ford said thirsty Ontarians will be able to purchase ready-to-drink cocktails at the 450 existing grocery stores that already sell alcohol, two weeks ahead of the planned Aug. 1 launch.

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