In British Columbia we find Canada’s largest split market between government retail stores (200+) and private retail stores (700+). This requires a well-managed sales effort consisting of cross selling and servicing the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) stores, on premise accounts and private retail store accounts.
Alberta is Canada’s only 100% privately controlled retails sales province. In this market we have a full complement of sales consultants in both Edmonton (Alberta North) and Calgary (Alberta South) serving retailers, on-premise accounts, and fine wine and spirit stores.
The Saskatchewan market is primarily controlled by the Government (SLGA) with almost all liquor sales going through Government stores; however starting in 2018 the Government has licensed 60+ private stores across the province. This will make the province the second largest in it's split channels between Government stores and Private stores after British Columbia. We support this market with in-market representation.
Manitoba is a similar market system to British Columbia with 50+ Government stores and eight private wine stores. The Government (MBLL) allows these private wine stores to sell directly to on-premise accounts (in British Columbia private retails cannot sell to on-premise accounts by law). While there are only eight private wine stores in Manitoba, the ability to sell to on-premise accounts makes them a very important part of the market. Christopher Stewart has it's own sale representation in Manitoba and we have a superb relationship with both the MBLL and the eight private wine stores.
Ontario (LCBO) is the largest single alcohol purchaser in the world with 600+ stores and 200+ privately owned rural agency stores. In 2017 they announced a plan to introduce 150+ private supermarkets for the resale of wines through 2018. The LCBO has two primary purchasing methods; Vintages tenders for one time buys and LCBO tenders for General Listings. We have full sales coverage for the market and maintain an excellent relationship with the LCBO. In 2017 we were awarded an LCBO ELSIE Award for the "Best Food & Drink Wine" launch of the year.
The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) has a total of 400+ stores throughout Québec and is the second largest purchaser of Alcohol in Canada. There are also 8,000+ grocers that are allowed sell “Vins de Qualité Certifiée” (VQC) which are primarily wines produced in Québec or from international bulk wines packaged in Québec. The SAQ purchases primarily through two major programs; Sélection tenders for one time buys and Classique tenders for general and seasonal Listings. Christopher Stewart has it's own sales representation in the province.
