Grocery stores say it’s too costly and complex to take empties. How does the Beer Store do it?

LILLEY: Threats by grocery stores on beer empties is all about money

It seems grocery and big box retailers want nothing but pure profit from selling booze and none of the hassle. Retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro are now balking at living up to the agreements they signed in order to start selling booze last year.

Grocery stores say it’s too costly and complex to take empties. How does the Beer Store do it?

Some major grocery chains claim the cost and complexity of managing returns is causing them to reconsider selling alcohol in advance of a Jan. 1 deadline, set by the province, that requires all grocers selling booze to take empties.