Canadian Markets
The Canadian market is made up of 10 Provinces and three Territories. The
Canadian retail or off-premise business for spirits, wines and beer, is
controlled by provincial liquor boards, which operate their own stores. The
exception is the province of Alberta, which is privatized with more than 1,000
independent and chain retailers.
The bulk of Canada's business is concentrated in four markets, of which Ontario
is the largest, followed by British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. The Liquor
Control Board of Ontario is the largest purchaser of beverage alcohol in the
world. The provincial monopolies control approximately 1,500 government liquor
stores, 850 private retail stores, along with 1,000 agency or franchise stores
in rural areas.
There are more than 30,000 independent and chain hotels, restaurants, bars,
night clubs and pubs in Canada. The Quebec market includes over 12,000
independent corner grocery stores that sell beer and wine, while Ontario
supports a brewers retail system called The Beer Store (TBS). TBS is owned by
the largest three brewers and operates 450 stores. The duty free business is
concentrated in 10 international airports and 36 stores along the U.S. border.