Korean merchants from across the province claim they’re being forced out business by Imperial Tobacco.
More than 800 members of the Ontario Korean Business Association, which represents 2,000 stores, travelled to Toronto on Tuesday to rally outside media companies to get their message out.
They charged that Imperial Tobacco is selling busy stores tobacco products at cheaper prices than retail outlets which are less active.
Association president Ken Lee said the company began last month charging mom and pop stores more expensive prices for cigarettes, as compared to stores that sold a huge volume of smokes.
Lee estimated about 30% of Ontario stores purchased cartons $5 to $10 less than other stores.
“This pricing is very unfair to us and it will drive many small stores out of business,” he said on Tuesday. “Many stores that don’t get a good price have to sell cigarettes at cost or under cost to stay alive.”
About 60 of the businessmen, who travelled from Niagara Falls, Barrie and other areas, were holding signs in a rally outside the Toronto Sun’s King St. E. offices on Tuesday.
Store owner Jay Jin said he has a tough time keeping his store open and called for a universal price for cigarettes.
“Under this system it is very difficult for us to make a living,” Jin said.
Imperial spokesman Eric Gagnon said some merchants belong to a preferred pricing program and get better rates based on the volume sold and other criteria they have to meet.
“We haven’t seen any store closures in a pilot project,” Gagnon said on Tuesday.
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