STARTUP CULTURE
WHERE YOU'D LEAST EXPECT IT.
A special welcome message from our
COVID co-op cohort!
Be Part of What's Next.
Rapid prototyping, design thinking, end-to-end product design, and full-stack software development - our promise to you is that no two days will be the same. LCBO is excited to operate an innovation outpost for future leaders of technology – LCBO|next. LCBO|next is all about bringing fresh ideas, creative thinking, and new skills to complement and enhance LCBO’s technology initiatives.
With the resources of LCBO’s reach and the energy of a start-up, co-op students will have the opportunity to take their ideas through a unique process that will have a lasting impact on LCBO’s operations and customer experience. Are you ready to help create solutions that you can see come to fruition in your region and/or across the province?
Our Technology Stack
At LCBO|next, we’re always exploring new technologies to solve the unique problems that our customers face. Most recently, we've been using React as our main frontend framework, backed by several microservices using Node and Express, which are containerized and deployed through Docker on Azure Cloud. We’re constantly adopting exciting, innovative technologies to power new and existing LCBO products to improve customer experience at over 660 retail stores and more than 450 vendors across Ontario. We take a "test, learn, and document" approach at LCBO|next. All of our apps are built using a variety of technologies to explore the best solutions for each unique problem.
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Co-op Alumni Testimonials
"I learnt more in the LCBO|next lab that I could have ever imagined - it is fast paced, collaborative, and truly engaging! Rapid prototyping sprints enable the team to design and develop truly impactful products that meet business, technical, and user needs."
3B Global Business and Digital Arts
"It was such an amazing experience filled with great people and awesome learning opportunities. You really get to contribute to the technical design of the products transcendent of just the code which were skills I was able to apply to other careers. The people, both other coops and management, also made the experience quite memorable and made me excited everyday to come to work."
Ryan Newman
2B Computer Science
Where Our Co-op Alumni Have Gone
TEAM
BEING PART OF THE
WORKING WITHIN A TIGHT-KNIT TEAM MEANS YOU'LL BE AN INTEGRAL TEAM MEMBER AS YOU HELP DRIVE INNOVATION.
Each term, LCBO|next will recruit up to 4 team members for co-op placements. Working with seasoned industry mentors, you will have the unique opportunity to brainstorm, design, and develop solutions for LCBO's local and provincial network. Our most recent projects are in production, being used by select stores and partners across the province. These projects aren’t for a grade, so you will be able to put all your experience and knowledge to the test during the term.
MENTORS
With opportunities to use technology to enhance social responsibility, create efficiency in business operations, or even find ways to be more environmentally friendly, you will be helping LCBO envision a store of the future. You will get to work in different roles and try your hand at new tasks. Whether it’s development or a leadership role, LCBO|next is the perfect opportunity to get your voice heard and develop your ideas. This is where co-op truly meets innovation.
LEARN,
BUILD,
+SHARE
WITH LCBO|next.
Reach out to one of our amazing mentors to learn more about upcoming opportunities at the lab, or click the 'View Projects' button to see what our coops have done.
Building INLINE
The LCBOnext team was frustrated by the long lineups at stores during COVID-19, so we decided to something about it!
In June 2020, we built and released the InLine app to help customers make better use of time spent in line and reduce time in store. It was whirlwind but we learned a few key lessons about shipping delightful, impactful products!
Designing LCBOdesk
The LCBOnext team noticed inefficiency in tracking and helping customers with issues regarding our POCs, so we decided to hunt for a new idea to improve customer experience.
In July 2021, we began ideating and designing for the LCBOdesk application to help optimize ticket management and data collection in order to help our customers more effectively. We had a great opportunity to learn vital product design lessons along the way in order to help build an innovative and impactful product for all.
Designing Same
Day Pickup App
The LCBOnext team wanted to gain insight into the usefulness of LED lights attached to recently piloted electronic bin tags. At the same time, we saw this initiative as an opportunity to explore ways in which the same day pickup process can be optimized, as it has become increasingly inefficient.
In May 2022, we began ideating and developing a web application to accomplish both of the aforementioned goals. This app allows users to better locate products around the store through LED light activation and order information. The process was an amazing learning experience!
Designing
My Collections
The LCBOnext team noticed that only few customers used the ratings and reviews feature for products. We wanted to transform the current feature into a useful tool that would make online shopping easy and motivating.
In October 2022, we started the design of LCBO My Collections! This is a feature that enables LCBO online account holders to add items to their personal, custom collections, rate and review items, as well as keep track of what they've liked or disliked previously.
"LCBO IS THE NUMBER ONE RETAILER IN ONTARIO AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND ACCOMPLISHED [TO BE] WORKING WITH SUCH A BIG RETAILER IN SUCH AN IMPORTANT MARKET"
©2023 LCBO|next
