Retail Sales & Delivery
Ontario has expanded alcohol sales to convenience stores and grocery stores. This topic covers Smart Serve Retail certification requirements, delivery driver responsibilities, age verification at point of sale, the Challenge 25 policy, AGCO compliance for retail outlets, and the rules governing third-party delivery services.
Study Guide: Retail Sales & Delivery
Review these sample questions before starting the practice test.
Q1: What is "Smart Serve Retail" in Ontario?
- A. An AGCO training requirement for staff selling alcohol in convenience stores and grocery stores โ
- B. A new cocktail brand
- C. A discount program for bars
- D. A type of liquor licence
Smart Serve Retail is an online responsible-sale training program for staff selling alcohol in newly authorized retail locations such as convenience stores, grocery stores and offsite winery retail stores in Ontario. The AGCO does not mandate one brand: retail staff must hold valid certification from an AGCO Board-approved retail training program (Smart Serve Retail is one of several approved programs) or the Smart Serve Full Course, which meets the training requirement for all liquor licensees and employees. Source: AGCO, https://www.agco.ca/en/alcohol/responsible-liquor-sale-service-and-delivery-training
Q2: When did Ontario begin allowing alcohol sales in convenience stores and grocery stores?
- A. 2015
- B. 2024, as part of the Ontario government's alcohol marketplace modernization โ
- C. 2020
- D. It has always been allowed
Ontario began expanding alcohol sales to convenience stores, grocery stores, and big box retailers in 2024 as part of the provincial government's alcohol marketplace modernization initiative.
Q3: What is the minimum age to purchase alcohol at a convenience store in Ontario?
- A. 18
- B. 21
- C. 19 โ
- D. 16
The minimum age to purchase alcohol remains 19 in Ontario, regardless of the point of sale โ whether at a bar, LCBO, convenience store, or grocery store.
Q4: Must convenience store staff check ID for alcohol purchases?
- A. Only if the customer looks very young
- B. Only during evening hours
- C. No โ the cash register verifies age
- D. Yes โ all staff must verify age using valid government-issued photo ID for anyone who appears under 25 โ
Convenience store staff must check ID for anyone who appears under 25 (Challenge 25 policy). Valid government-issued photo ID is required. This is the same standard as all other retail alcohol outlets.
Q5: What types of alcohol can be sold in Ontario convenience stores?
- A. Beer, cider, wine, coolers, and ready-to-drink beverages, but not spirits (hard liquor) โ
- B. All types including spirits
- C. Only beer
- D. Only wine and spirits
Ontario convenience stores are authorized to sell beer, cider, wine, coolers, and ready-to-drink beverages. Spirits (hard liquor) are not included in the convenience store authorization.
Q6: What are the permitted hours for alcohol sales in convenience stores in Ontario?
- A. 24 hours
- B. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM โ
- C. 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM
- D. 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Alcohol sales in convenience stores are permitted from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week. These hours are set by the AGCO and are different from licensed establishment service hours.
Q7: What is the primary responsibility of a convenience store clerk selling alcohol?
- A. Maximizing sales
- B. Stocking shelves
- C. Ensuring legal age verification, refusing sales to intoxicated persons, and following all AGCO rules โ
- D. Making recommendations on products
The primary responsibility is responsible sale: verifying age, refusing sales to intoxicated individuals, ensuring purchases fall within quantity limits, and following all AGCO regulations.
Q8: Can a convenience store sell alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person?
- A. Yes โ retail is different from bars
- B. Only if they are buying small quantities
- C. Yes, if they pay in cash
- D. No โ it is illegal to sell alcohol to someone who is or appears to be intoxicated, regardless of the point of sale โ
The prohibition on selling alcohol to intoxicated persons applies to ALL retail outlets, including convenience stores. Staff must refuse the sale if the customer appears intoxicated.
Ready to practice all 75 questions? Start the interactive quiz below.
What is "Smart Serve Retail" in Ontario?
More Retail Sales & Delivery Questions
Ten more worked examples with answers and explanations.
Q9: What training certification is required for convenience store staff selling alcohol?
- A. Smart Serve Retail certification from the AGCO-approved training program โ
- B. No training required
- C. A food handler's certificate
- D. A university degree in hospitality
Staff selling alcohol in convenience stores must hold valid certification from an AGCO Board-approved retail training program covering age verification, refusal obligations, and regulatory compliance. Smart Serve Retail is one of several approved retail programs; the Smart Serve Full Course is also accepted because it meets the training requirement for all liquor licensees and employees. Certificates are valid for five years, and AGCO inspectors can ask for proof at any time. Source: AGCO, https://www.agco.ca/en/alcohol/responsible-liquor-sale-service-and-delivery-training
Q10: What happens if a convenience store is caught selling alcohol to a minor?
- A. A verbal warning only
- B. Significant fines for the clerk and the store, potential loss of their alcohol sales authorization, and possible criminal charges โ
- C. Nothing โ convenience stores are exempt
- D. Only the minor gets in trouble
Selling alcohol to a minor is a serious offence. The clerk, the store, and the store owner all face penalties including fines, loss of alcohol authorization, and potential criminal charges under the LLCA.
Q11: What is the role of delivery drivers in Ontario's alcohol delivery system?
- A. Just drop off the package
- B. Only drive the vehicle
- C. Verify the recipient's age and sobriety, ensure they are of legal age, and never leave alcohol unattended โ
- D. No special responsibilities
Alcohol delivery drivers must verify the recipient's age using valid photo ID, ensure the recipient is not intoxicated, obtain a signature, and never leave alcohol unattended or with a minor.
Q12: Can alcohol be delivered to someone under 19 in Ontario?
- A. Yes, if a parent ordered it
- B. Only non-alcoholic beverages
- C. Yes, with a guardian's note
- D. No โ the person receiving the delivery must be 19+ and present valid photo ID โ
Alcohol delivery must be to a person aged 19 or older. The recipient must present valid government-issued photo ID. If no one of legal age is available, the delivery must not be completed.
Q13: What should a delivery driver do if no one is home to receive an alcohol delivery?
- A. Do not leave the alcohol โ return it to the depot or attempt redelivery, as alcohol cannot be left unattended โ
- B. Leave it at the door
- C. Leave it with a neighbor
- D. Hide it in the mailbox
Alcohol deliveries cannot be left unattended. If no eligible person is available to receive it, the driver must return the order to the depot for redelivery or customer pickup.
Q14: What is the maximum alcohol content permitted for products sold in convenience stores?
- A. No limit
- B. Products must be within AGCO-set alcohol content limits, typically up to a specified ABV percentage โ
- C. 100% alcohol is fine
- D. Only 0.5% ABV
The AGCO sets limits on the alcohol content of products sold in convenience stores. These limits are designed to ensure responsible retail sales and typically cap ABV at a level consistent with beer, wine, and RTDs.
Q15: Where must alcohol be displayed in a convenience store?
- A. Anywhere in the store
- B. Only behind the counter
- C. In a designated, controlled area as specified by AGCO regulations, separate from products marketed to children โ
- D. Only in the window display
AGCO regulations require alcohol in convenience stores to be displayed in designated areas, separate from products marketed to children, with appropriate signage and security measures.
Q16: Can a convenience store offer volume discounts or promotions on alcohol?
- A. Yes, any promotion is fine
- B. Only on holidays
- C. No promotions are ever allowed
- D. Promotions must comply with AGCO rules โ some types of promotions that encourage overconsumption are prohibited โ
Alcohol promotions in retail must comply with AGCO regulations. Promotions that encourage overconsumption or irresponsible drinking are prohibited, similar to restrictions on licensed establishments.
Q17: What is "third-party delivery" of alcohol in Ontario?
- A. When a delivery service (like Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes) delivers alcohol ordered from a licensed retailer or establishment โ
- B. A type of cocktail
- C. When a friend delivers alcohol
- D. Only LCBO delivery trucks
Third-party delivery services can deliver alcohol from licensed retailers or establishments. The delivery person must verify age and sobriety of the recipient, just like any other alcohol delivery.
Q18: What responsibilities does a grocery store have when selling alcohol?
- A. The same as selling groceries
- B. Age verification, refusing sales to intoxicated persons, maintaining designated alcohol areas, staff training, and compliance with display and signage rules โ
- C. No special responsibilities
- D. Only LCBO-trained staff can handle alcohol
Grocery stores selling alcohol must verify age, refuse sales to intoxicated persons, maintain designated alcohol display areas, ensure all staff selling alcohol are trained, and comply with AGCO signage requirements.
Key facts for this topic
- Retail stores may sell liquor from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day, and liquor may be delivered from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (the delivery window is set in O. Reg. 746/21, s. 10). Source
- Retail staff at convenience stores, grocery stores and offsite winery retail stores must hold a certificate from an AGCO Board-approved retail training program (Smart Serve Retail is one of several), or the Smart Serve Full Course. Delivery staff need an approved delivery program or the Full Course. Source
- Before liquor is delivered to someone who appears to be under 19, their photo ID must be inspected (O. Reg. 746/21, ss. 9 and 10). Source
- The Smart Serve Retail final test has 20 randomly generated multiple-choice questions, and each purchase includes two attempts. Source
Common mistakes
Do not assume retail and delivery follow bar rules. Store hours (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and delivery hours (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.) are different from licensed-premises hours. The other frequent mistake is thinking the sale is complete once payment is taken: the refusal duties for minors and intoxicated customers apply at the till and at the door, and a delivery cannot be left unattended or handed to someone under 19. If no eligible adult is there, the order goes back.
Keep studying
Sources
Regulatory facts on this page are based on the official sources below. If anything here disagrees with them, the official source wins.
- AGCO: Hours for liquor sale, service and delivery
- AGCO: Responsible liquor sale, service and delivery training
- O. Reg. 746/21: Licensing, under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (Ontario e-Laws)
- Smart Serve Ontario: The Smart Serve Retail Course
By SmartServe Prep Team Last reviewed: October 2026
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