Ontario grocery stores — particularly smaller, independent shops — say new bottle return requirements that were sprung on them a week before they’re set to take effect may make it impossible to participate in Premier Doug Ford’s expansion of alcohol sales.

Grocery stores were already concerned that those that sell alcohol will also have to accept empties.

Having the smell of stale beer mingling with the smell of fresh food — and having to put not-quite-entirely-empty bottles that become fruit-fly magnets near produce sections — would not be good for business, they said.

But with new and detailed requirements communicated to them this week by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario just days before they begin, retailers say they don’t know how they will make it work, and some are planning to hand back their licences.