The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) has released a statement in response to a report published by the Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) that discusses the growing challenges faced by convenience stores in Ontario due to illegal markets. The CICC's report outlines how these unregulated markets are negatively affecting licensed convenience retail operations, leading to a decline in overall sales and increased risks for compliant businesses. As a result, the OCSA is urging the Ontario government to take action against these illegal market activities to protect legitimate retailers and ensure fair competition.
The rise of illegal markets has become a significant concern as they not only affect revenue for legal convenience stores but also pose public safety risks and contribute to the loss of jobs within the legal retail sector. The OCSA claims that regulatory measures and stricter enforcement against illegal market operations are necessary to level the playing field and safeguard the interests of law-abiding business owners. In light of these findings, the organization expects a proactive response from the provincial authorities to bolster the legal convenience store sector in Ontario.
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