Loblaw Companies Limited says its success as a proud Canadian company is directly linked to the success and prosperity of Canada as a whole.
“When our communities are strong, we are collectively more resilient, more successful, and more connected,” said Loblaw, which shared its progress relative to these two important priorities, with the release of the 18th annual 2024 Live Life Well report.
“From Loblaw’s perspective, two of the many ways we contribute to the strength of the nation are by fighting climate change and advancing social equity. By reducing our carbon emissions and tackling food and plastic waste, we are helping to make Canadian communities healthier. By supporting the health and wellness of women and children, we are helping to make our communities stronger and more resilient,” said the company.
“We have the greatest impact when we’re able to help Canadian communities thrive,” said Per Bank, President and CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited.
“That can involve delivering value, supporting Canadians with their healthcare needs, doing our part in fighting climate change and advancing social equity, and more. When we see ways to make Canada stronger, we’ll explore them, because we know we can have a big impact on the people and places we serve.”
Here are some key achievements for 2024 noted by Loblaw:
Achieving Net-Zero:
- Achieved a 16% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2020 baseline.
- Invested more than $40 million to complete over 500 carbon reduction capital projects.
- Approximately 32% of Scope 3 volume (by spend) came from suppliers with science-based targets.
Tackling Plastic Waste:
- Achieved over 90% compliance relative to the in-scope Golden Design Rules for control brand and in-store plastic packaging, putting the company within reach of its 2025 goal to make all such packaging 100% recyclable or reusable.
Addressing Food Waste and Food Insecurity:
- Diverted over 80,000 metric tonnes of potential food waste from landfill through food consistent donations and other food rescue initiatives.
- Including donations of more than 50 million pounds of food to community-based food charities across Canada, in support of the Loblaw Feed More Families™ program.
Nurturing Future Generations:
- Reached more than 997,000 children through the President’s Choice Children’s Charity, the nation’s largest non-government provider of direct-to-school food nutrition programs. The Charity is on track to reach its goal to feed one million kids by the end of 2025.
Supporting Health Equity for Women:
- The Shoppers Foundation for Women’s HealthTM contributed more than $12.5 million in support of over 380 women’s health organizations across Canada, with the goal of making care more equitable and accessible for all women in Canada.
Supporting Local Communities:
- Raised and donated $212 million (including in-kind donations) to support research, charities and non-profits across Canada, including the Salvation Army, World Wildlife Fund Canada, and other disaster relief and humanitarian response efforts.
Representation:
- Achieved 39.5% representation of women in executive roles and 46% in management roles.
- Achieved 28% representation of visible minorities in executive roles and 34% in management roles.
- Committed to new representation goals for 2028.
Fostering Culture and Inclusion:
- Trained over 198,000 colleagues and employees on fundamental diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, with over 2 million training courses completed through virtual and/or in-person classes and self-paced learning.
“Loblaw is a driving force behind real, measurable change. For four decades, their unwavering commitment to rescuing surplus food and reducing the environmental damage of food waste has helped us grow our impact year after year. Thanks to Loblaw, millions of pounds of good food are feeding people across Canada instead of ending up in landfills. We couldn’t ask for a more dedicated, visionary partner in the fight against hunger and food waste,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO, Second Harvest.
“With over 2 million people visiting food banks this month, Food Banks Canada is immensely grateful for another year of support from our long-standing partnership with Loblaws. Thanks to their 2024 contributions, Loblaws stores donated over 8.1 million pounds, valued at approximately $29.11 million of surplus meat, bakery, dairy, produce and grocery products. We are thankful for Loblaw’s continued commitment to this initiative, the ongoing need for quality, perishable and fresh food continues to grow and it is an essential component of the local food bank offering. We are also appreciative for Loblaw Companies Ltd., its employees and its shoppers that have helped food banks across Canada to feed more families through its biannual food drives resulting in over 6 million meals to families in need,” added Kirstin Beardsley, CEO, Food Banks Canada.
Loblaw is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, and the nation’s largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,500 corporate franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees and Associate-owners employ more than 220,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada’s largest private sector employers.
It has more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and in close to 500 grocery stores; PC Financial® services; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada’s top-consumer brands in Life Brand®, Farmer’s MarketTM, no name® and President’s Choice®.
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