Introducing alcoholic beverages in convenience stores has created a significant opportunity for businesses in London and across Ontario. It first came into effect just over a week ago on Sept 5th, some convenience stores were quick to stock their shelves with these beverages and others are eagerly awaiting their liquor sales license. Our XFM reporters talked to some local convenience stores to hear how they have been dealing with the sudden addition to their stores.
Nikhil Karavangatt a worker at Station Park Convenience shared his experiences this week selling alcoholic drinks in his store. “It’s not that big of a deal, not much of a change but still we are getting more and more customers every day,” he says when asked about dealing with the sudden change. He also has a slight fear in the back of his mind when moving forward with the change in regards to an increase in theft, “We can’t do anything, even the police, it’s like 5 or 10 bucks of stuff, they’re not gonna do anything”. He says with Western University homecoming around the corner they will have to stock up but they quite don’t know what to expect, “We don’t have any experience before selling beer….we are not planning for a huge stock but at least 20 percent more”.
Moomin Tabidi, a worker at another convenience store off Richmond and Oxford called Western Convenience, says their store plans to add alcoholic beverages to their shelves as soon as possible and that it would help sales a fair bit. “I was recently in America and it’s super convenient to just go into any gas station or convenience store, buy some beer,” he says when asked how he felt about the potential new addition to their catalogue, “I’m actually super excited…about the whole situation and them finally allowing it.”
XFM News-Eric Dougan