GROCERY

Australian Beef Could Help Keep Canadian Consumers in the Beef Aisle

Sylvain Charlebois -
Australian beef imports may help keep Canadians buying beef as domestic prices remain high, preserving long-term demand while Canada's cattle industry rebuilds.

Sobeys surpasses food waste reduction target five years ahead of UN goal

Mario Toneguzzi -
Empire said the food loss and waste reduction included 40.6 million pounds of food donated across Canada during fiscal 2026, while another 5.2 million pounds of food was diverted through the FoodHero program.

Loblaw Plans About 75 Store Openings in 2027 as Discount Expansion Continues

Craig Patterson -
Loblaw expects to open about 75 stores in 2027 as it expands No Frills, Maxi and its pharmacy network amid sustained demand for discount grocery shopping.

Belleville Costco Warehouse Planned as Canadian Expansion Continues

Lee Rivett -
Plans for a new Costco warehouse in Belleville, Ontario, have moved forward following an announcement by Mayor Neil Ellis. The project highlights Costco's continued Canadian expansion and the retailer's strategy of serving growing regional markets.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 28, 2026

Retail Insider -
CF Toronto Eaton Centre sees washroom redesigns, grocery sustainability takes centre stage, and Just Cuts expands with location in Ontario.

Study Finds Grocery Stores Could Cut Plastic Produce-Bag Use

Lee Rivett -
University of Toronto research involving 30 Toronto grocery stores and a Longo’s pilot suggests retailers could reduce disposable plastic produce-bag use through signage, reusable alternatives and changes to dispenser placement.

After lengthy search, Calgary Co-op names new CEO

Mario Toneguzzi -
The company had been without a permanent CEO since the departure of Ken Keelor in October 2024.

Permanent Daylight Time Could Redirect Canada’s Food Spending

Sylvain Charlebois -
Sylvain Charlebois examines how permanent daylight time could shift Canadian food spending between grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses.

METRO sells its Première Moisson Group production facility to FGF for $90 million

Mario Toneguzzi -
Upon closing of the transaction, FGF will manufacture and distribute Première Moisson products sold in food stores.

Quebec Removes QST from Select Foods and Household Essentials

Lee Rivett -
Quebec has removed QST from selected foods, toilet paper and facial tissues, requiring retailers to update product classifications and checkout systems.

Daily Synopsis: July 10, 2026

Retail Insider -
Beef price fixing scandal investigated, Vancouver's Kerrisdale thrives while nearby areas struggle, retailers leave downtown Edmonton as office workers return, Honest Ed's signage returns to Mirvish Village, Canada's first Toys R Us shutting down, and other news.

Retail Insider “Grocery Report” Examines How Value Is Reshaping Canadian Grocery

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Grocery Report examines how value is reshaping Canadian grocery, from discount expansion and private label to digital tools, prepared foods, grocery-anchored real estate and shifting consumer behaviour.

Italian Centre Shop expands in Calgary with new Northland location opening July 16

Mario Toneguzzi -
The new 22,000-square-foot location, which will open at 10 a.m. following a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, will bring Italian Centre Shop’s signature blend of European grocery, fresh food experiences, and warm hospitality to Northwest Calgary — a growing and vibrant part of the city.

Costco Canada Sales Growth Moderates as Warehouse Expansion Continues

Lee Rivett -
Costco Canada's June comparable sales growth slowed from earlier in the year, but the warehouse retailer continues to post healthy underlying gains while expanding its Canadian store network.

Q2 2026 Canadian Discount, Value and Off-Price Retail: Shape of the Next Phase of Canadian Retail

Craig Patterson -
Canadian value retail in Q2 2026 was defined by mainstream consumer adoption, discount grocery expansion, off-price growth, and value-oriented retailers increasingly shaping real estate and retail strategy.

Food Inflation Creates More Tactical Grocery Shoppers in Canada

Lee Rivett -
A new Milesopedia survey finds grocery shoppers are comparing prices more often, buying more private label and questioning whether loyalty rewards meaningfully offset rising food costs.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 7, 2026

Retail Insider -
Canadians turn to 'pay later' for groceries amid struggles, Subaru sees increased sales, Innovative eyewear launching in Canadian stores, Toronto Metro rebranding as Food Basics, St. Vital Walmart fire deemed arson, and other news.

Lotus Capital Expands Retail Platform with First Kelowna Acquisition

Lee Rivett -
Vancouver-based Lotus Capital has acquired Plaza 33 in Kelowna, extending a growing Canadian strategy focused on grocery-anchored and necessity-based retail centres.

Canada’s new tariff on imported canned vegetables expected to add pressure to grocery prices, MEI says

Mario Toneguzzi -
The new tariff could place additional financial pressure on households, particularly those already facing higher grocery bills.

Daily Synopsis: July 6, 2026

Retail Insider -
RioCan gains from slow construction, Sephora introduces low-sensory store experience, Beer Store loses 'sabotage' real estate lawsuit, Flying Tiger opening at Vaughan Mills this week, 60 grocers receive Foodland Ontario award, and other news.

Report says supply management adds hundreds of dollars to annual food costs, pushes thousands below poverty line

Mario Toneguzzi -
More than 120,000 people remain below the low-income cut-off because of those added food costs.

Costco Expands Retail Footprint Across Canada with New Warehouses Planned

Craig Patterson -
Costco is advancing a significant expansion in Canada, with new warehouses set to open in various communities. This growth reflects the retailer's confidence in the Canadian market as it targets both new regions and existing locations with high demand.

Walmart Takes Former Hudson’s Bay Space at Place d’Orléans

Craig Patterson -
Walmart Canada will open a 115,500-square-foot Supercentre in the former Hudson's Bay store at Place d'Orléans in Ottawa, providing an early example of Primaris REIT's strategy to repurpose former HBC spaces with new anchors.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 25, 2026

Retail Insider -
Retail Insider published nine articles covering Vaughan Mills' Playdium, Dollarama's market reach, and Kraft Dinner's move into instant noodles, among others.

Pattison Food Group expands automated grocery fulfillment operations at B.C. distribution centre

Mario Toneguzzi -
The investment reflects Pattison Food Group's efforts to adapt its warehouse operations to changing demand while reducing manual processes and increasing efficiency in moving products through its supply chain.
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