Australia-based Crumpler has generated publicity with a “beer for bags” promotion in several of its worldwide stores before, but is finding a problem in Canada.
From the Globe and Mail:
“In Australia, bartering, especially with beer, is a very common occurrence,” he said. “So this just comes naturally to us.”
There’s just one catch: According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, using alcohol as a means of exchange – bartering – is illegal.
AGCO spokesman Ab Campion said that by using the beer as a form of payment for merchandise, customers would technically be selling the beer without a liquor licence, which is a violation of the province’s Liquor Licence Act, he said.
Roper said he and his partners have examined the Ontario bylaws and are confident their promotion is within the bounds of the law.
We’ll see how it plays out.