Sobeys

Canadian Tire, Sobeys, IKEA and Tim Hortons Among Winners of Inaugural Retail Sustainability Awards

Craig Patterson -
Retail Council of Canada has announced the winners of its inaugural Retail Sustainability Excellence Awards, recognizing Canadian Tire, Sobeys, IKEA Canada, Tim Hortons and other organizations for initiatives involving recycled materials, refrigeration, logistics and supply chain sustainability.

Walmart Canada Overhauls Great Value as Private-Label Grocery Competition Intensifies

Lee Rivett -
Walmart Canada is redesigning Great Value packaging across its private-label assortment, with nearly 150 products expected to transition in 2027. The rollout comes as Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro compete for Canadian shoppers through their own store brands.

Scarce Retail Space Gives Canadian Landlords New Leverage

Craig Patterson -
Canada’s tight retail real estate market is shifting negotiating power toward landlords as limited construction and high occupancy constrain available space. JLL, Primaris, RioCan, McDonald’s and Empire executives discuss the implications, including the temporary opportunity created by former Hudson’s Bay locations.

Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Empire over grocery property controls

Mario Toneguzzi -
Under the agreement, Empire will no longer enforce existing restrictive covenants, enter into new restrictive covenants or ask other parties to establish restrictive covenants that benefit the company. It will also limit its use of exclusivity clauses.

Empire Raises Store-Opening Target as Canadian Grocery Expansion Intensifies

Lee Rivett -
Empire is raising its fiscal 2027 store-opening target to more than 25 locations as Sobeys, FreshCo, IGA and other banners expand across Canada.

Empire to acquire nine Morelli’s pharmacies in Ontario

Mario Toneguzzi -
The pharmacies will be brought into Sobeys’ National Pharmacy operations as part of the transaction.

Crombie REIT Reports Strong Rent Growth Driven by Grocery-Angled Retail

Craig Patterson -
Crombie REIT posted a seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit renewal rent growth as demand remains strong for grocery-anchored retail space across Canada.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 31, 2026

Retail Insider -
Sleep Country completes Sleep Number acquisition, ranking Canada's grocery loyalty programs, Atlantic salmon prices jump in July, Giant Tiger shutting downtown Winnipeg store, Quebec gov't extends hours for 'erotic' stores, and other news.

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.

Empire Company Limited no longer enforcing restrictive covenants

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Competition Bureau Canada announced in late June it was expanding its investigation into Sobeys and continuing a campaign that has already led to voluntary concessions from major grocers and new legislation in Manitoba.

Competition Bureau Continues Multi-Year Push Against Grocery Property Controls

Craig Patterson -
The Competition Bureau of Canada has expanded its investigation into Sobeys' use of property controls, continuing a multi-year effort that began with its 2023 grocery competition study and has already prompted changes across the grocery industry.

Empire Co. Ltd. CEO Charts Growth Strategy with Discount Focus

Craig Patterson -
Empire plans to open 70 new stores across Canada over the next three years, with more than 75% of locations focused on discount retail as the grocery giant expands FreshCo, pharmacy and wholesale operations.

Empire Company sees sales reach $31.95 billion in Fiscal 2026, more growth planned for FreshCo brand

Mario Toneguzzi -
In fiscal 2027, the Company expects to open approximately 15 new FreshCo stores across Western Canada, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Retail and Grocery Leaders Honoured at RCCSTORE2026 Awards Programs

Retail Insider -
Retail Council of Canada recognized retailers, brands and industry leaders at RCCSTORE2026 through its Excellence in Retailing Awards and Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

FreshCo Targets Underserved Markets with Winnipeg Opening

Lee Rivett -
FreshCo will open in Winnipeg in Fall 2026, reviving a long-vacant grocery site and reflecting a broader shift in discount retail expansion across Canada.

Grocery Fuel Surcharge Fight Reshapes Pricing in Canada

Lee Rivett -
Fuel surcharges are dividing Canada’s grocery sector, widening gaps between major chains and independent grocers.

DoorDash Expands Grocery Reach Through Empire Partnership

Lee Rivett -
DoorDash adds 1,000+ Empire grocery stores across Canada, expanding its role in on-demand grocery and retail delivery.

Bento Launches Scallop Sushi Lineup Nationwide

Craig Patterson -
Bento introduces Canada’s first grab-and-go scallop sushi lineup across major grocery banners, signaling premium innovation in convenience food.

Sandra Sanderson Receives RCC Lifetime Achievement Award

Craig Patterson -
Sandra Sanderson of Empire and Sobeys to receive RCC Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of leadership in Canadian retail.

Sobeys refreshes Compliments brand to align with evolving Canadian shopper values and drive loyalty

Mario Toneguzzi -
The refresh was informed by an evolution in how Canadian shoppers define value. 

Empire Acquires Mayrand, Enters Quebec Discount Grocery Market

Craig Patterson -
Empire acquires Mayrand, gaining entry into Quebec’s discount and warehouse grocery market through a court-supervised sale process.

GoodLeaf Farms launches mobile tour to promote indoor-grown greens in Ontario, Atlantic Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
GoodLeaf, founded in Halifax in 2011, operates three commercial-scale indoor farms across Canada that supply retailers and food service operators.

Empire Company Limited reports Q3 financial results

Mario Toneguzzi -
Sales of $7,890 million, an increase of 2.1%.

Empire Company to close Alberta e-commerce facilities, expands third-party delivery partnerships

Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the changes are expected to deliver roughly $95 million in annualized operating income by fiscal 2027.

Empire launches Feed The Dream campaign tied to Milano Cortina 2026 Games

Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said that its Feed The Dream campaign will run across its Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Voilà brands, with programming designed to connect consumers, communities and athletes in the lead-up to and during the Games.
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