“That’s another competitor and that’s a big competitor,” Giuseppe Marchesini explained in this article to CTV News Toronto.
“We feel that it’s not fair. They can be more mindful of supporting small businesses. We’re still struggling. Even if the guests are supporting us and we are full, we will need a little bit more attention on us.”
Ontarians can now get alcohol delivered from the LCBO using Uber Eats
“We’ve already heard from a few of our members in the hospitality industry, and it’s a bit of a tough blow,” said Ryan Mallough with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
“(The) hospitality (industry) is still in a very tough place. More than half still aren’t back to their normal revenue levels.”
The partnership will let Ontarians of legal drinking age order beer, wine, and spirits from the LCBO through the Uber Eats app and get it delivered to their door.
“LCBO, as part of a time-limited pilot program, is having conversations with on-demand delivery providers to improve the customer experience including use of LCBO logo and product selection guidance,” a spokesperson for the Crown corporation said in a statement on Friday.
Mallough said the Uber Eats partnership will discourage customers from ordering alcoholic drinks from restaurants, with the LCBO offering the same products at a lower price.
“It’s sort of different rules for the big player in the game and different rules for the smaller guys. And that, again, is a major source of frustration for small businesses,” Mallough said.
“All they really want to do is be able to compete. When you get a different set of rules, especially for the bigger guys, it makes it very difficult to do that.”
Customers ordering LCBO alcohol would have to pay a $5.49 delivery fee.
Mallough said if the LCBO can sell alcohol through delivery apps without purchasing a meal, businesses should be allowed to do that too.
“I think two things (need to happen). One, on the government side, let’s not put in rules that give unfair advantages to competition. Let’s let the businesses compete. Let them serve their customers,” he said.
“And then for all of us on the customer side, really what they need is for consumers to keep coming back. We saw this wonderful groundswell of local small business support throughout the pandemic. We want to make sure that we keep that going.”
SOURCE: CTV News Toronto