Peninsula Co-op inks deal to acquire several Liquor Express locations on Vancouver Island

Peninsula Co-op is set to acquire seven Liquor Express stores on Vancouver Island.

The deal is expected to close by mid-September and includes the following retail locations: Yates Street at Blanshard, Downtown Victoria; Wilkinson Road at Interurban, Saanich; Six Mile at Island Highway, View Royal; Keating Centre, Saanichton; Tillicum Mall, Saanich; Esquimalt Plaza, Esquimalt; and Selby Street, Nanaimo.

Liquor Express currently operates eight stores.

Peninsula Co-op said the “transformational” acquisition is part of its goal to diversity and grow the business. 

"While valuing our origins as a community-based member-owned organization, we are thrilled to expand our footprint of retail liquor locations," said Corey Gillon, CEO of Peninsula Co-op, in a statement. "Undoubtedly, this transaction signifies a shift that supports the scaling of our existing retail platform and enables us to continue on the path of increased presence in the retail liquor sector."

The company said it intends to retain existing team members from the Liquor Express locations.