LCBO and DoorDash: A Great Alliance or a Misstep?

As we witness a fresh collaboration between LCBO, a significant name in the liquor retail space, and DoorDash, a popular food delivery service, there are a plethora of questions bubbling up in the minds of the Ontario populace. The LCBO, already a giant with a solid foothold in the Ontario market, seems to be venturing into somewhat uncharted territory.

While some see potential in this partnership, others caution that it might not be the golden ticket it appears to be at first glance.

The pitch to consumers

At first blush, the deal sounds promising for Ontario residents: in-store rates for liquor delivery, along with waived delivery fees and service charges for first-time orders over $40. However, a deeper dig suggests that this might not be the bonanza it appears to be. The question that lingers is whether DoorDash is offering terms that are truly beneficial for the LCBO, or if this move might see Canadian consumers getting a raw deal.

Moreover, skepticism arises when considering the exclusivity of this partnership. Are we to believe that DoorDash has extended highly favourable terms to LCBO? Or is there a possibility that this exclusivity might lead to a scenario where the consumers find themselves at a disadvantage?

300 locations participating

The announced plan to integrate over 300 LCBO stores, targeting almost 70% of Ontario's population, might seem extensive, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. When we consider that the LCBO operates over 650 stores, it seems like a missed opportunity to not leverage the entire network for this program.

It brings up concerns about whether this initiative is a well-thought-out strategy, or just a hasty attempt to tap into a booming delivery market.

This partial integration raises eyebrows and leaves us wondering if there's a chance for expansion or if we're looking at a guarded, perhaps even tentative approach towards this alliance.