Canadian Retail Thread

[Nashe]

In these times of pressure brought on by inflation and rising interest rates, my wife, who swore up and down she'd NEVER drive around town to find the best deal when doing groceries, has "game-ified" grocery shopping to the point now that she's cut a third off of our monthly bill. A lot of that is no-name brand stuff that you really can't tell the difference on.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by Nashe

In these times of pressure brought on by inflation and rising interest rates, my wife, who swore up and down she'd NEVER drive around town to find the best deal when doing groceries, has "game-ified" grocery shopping to the point now that she's cut a third off of our monthly bill. A lot of that is no-name brand stuff that you really can't tell the difference on.

Yup if you can get to different places you can cut back quite a bit on costs. I never by produce from any of the big stores now. We have H&W produce which is always about 1/2 of the the big guys. I am also finding the farmers markets are getting more competitive in pricing. Meat products especially.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by casper

Some save-on-foods have a donut machines in the bakery and make donuts from scratch. Those are fantastic. Much better than anything from fast food places named after hockey players.

The Save-On-Foods that don't have the machines have crappy donuts. Perhaps Darrell needs to get on that are elevate the standards of the Save-On-Foods.

The difference in donut quality between Save-on-Foods locations is massive. In New West, the uptown location has the good donuts, while the other two locations have the crap donuts. You’d think they were from two completely different chains.

[Wigs]

Originally Posted by esquire

Last spring break, we went to BC and did a two week whirlwind trip around Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler and environs. While in Victoria I popped into the James Bay Thrifty Foods to pick up a few items for the hotel... I'm not sure I had ever been to that chain's locations before. Wow is all I can say, it felt like I was shopping in the US at those prices. It's even worse than Save-On Foods.

The names of those chains is pretty ironic... what's next, SUPER MEGA DISCOUNT GROCERY MARKDOWN WAREHOUSE where a loaf of sandwich bread is $8.99?

well Victoria is on an island and uppity. Wouldn't there be a markup just to get food from Vancouver to there?

One of the benefits with southern Ontario being the population and logistics centre of Canada is that grocery prices are generally cheaper than most of Canada.

[casper]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

The difference in donut quality between Save-on-Foods locations is massive. In New West, the uptown location has the good donuts, while the other two locations have the crap donuts. You’d think they were from two completely different chains.

When I was living in Lower mainland, I would frequently be in the area and go in the the Save-On-Foods on Marine drive in the Burnaby River Bends area. They had the good stuff. The other newer Save-On-Foods had crap donuts.

[casper]

Originally Posted by zoomer

Thrifty Foods was the dominant grocery store by far in Victoria (about 10 stores) until Sobeys took it over and now it’s another chain. Victoria is a market where people support the local independent grocers, probably because they do a good job of making buying food something to look forward to, not endure. Red Barn Market started up in 2002, and they just announced they’re opening yet another location, I think that gives them 8 stores. There’s also Country Grocers, Fairways, Root Cellar, and a bunch of one off independent stores. There is only one Costco, located in the suburb of Langford.

Thrifty Foods use to be locally owned by the Campbells Family. A number of the stores were franchise a few were company stores. The Campbells had to buy out all the franchise before they sold to Sobeys.

As the do-not-compete clauses ran out on the former franchise owners a number of them started up new stores. Some of the old Thrifty store manages decided they did not want to stay with Sobey's and left. That is where the Market Stores, Red Barn, and Root Cellar all came from. They are basically run by former Thrifty people.

Originally Posted by esquire

Last spring break, we went to BC and did a two week whirlwind trip around Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler and environs. While in Victoria I popped into the James Bay Thrifty Foods to pick up a few items for the hotel... I'm not sure I had ever been to that chain's locations before. Wow is all I can say, it felt like I was shopping in the US at those prices. It's even worse than Save-On Foods.

The names of those chains is pretty ironic... what's next, SUPER MEGA DISCOUNT GROCERY MARKDOWN WAREHOUSE where a loaf of sandwich bread is $8.99?

Yes, it is weird.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by casper

When I was living in Lower mainland, I would frequently be in the area and go in the the Save-On-Foods on Marine drive in the Burnaby River Bends area. They had the good stuff. The other newer Save-On-Foods had crap donuts.

The Marine Way one has the good donuts too, I agree.

[SpongeG]

I see Save on foods has lowered some prices recently. a few months ago a simple in-store made sandwich was selling for $8.99, the other day the sandwiches were down to a more reasonable $5.99

Have been to the Zellers two times now in the Guildford Bay store in Surrey. The second visit the Zellers section was really quite busy, lots of people checking it out, not too many purchasing but overhearing comments they seemed to like the selection and prices. Its been a good way to bring in more foot traffic to the Bay store, definately felt more busy than it usually is, especially the womens shoe section that was having a sale.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Wigs

One of the benefits with southern Ontario being the population and logistics centre of Canada is that grocery prices are generally cheaper than most of Canada.

I don't feel that way at all. I think we are being gouged no matter where we live in Canada.

[MolsonExport]

on the subject of being gouged:


Galen Weston stepping down as president and CEO of Loblaw

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is hiring veteran European retail executive Per Bank as its next president and chief executive.

The parent company of the Loblaws grocery chain and Shoppers Drug Mart says Bank, the chief executive of Denmark’s Salling Group A/S, will join the company by early 2024.

Salling Group operates department stores, supermarkets and discount stores.

The hiring of Bank comes as Loblaw chief operating officer Robert Sawyer plans to retire at the end of the year.

Galen Weston has been serving as president of Loblaw since 2021 when Sarah Davis retired from the job.

He will remain chair of the Blawlob board, as well as chair and chief executive of George Weston Ltd., the retailer's parent company.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2023.

[esquire]

Galen be like "I don't get paid enough to put up with this shit"

[urbandreamer]

TIL Per Bank is a real person, not a joke lol.

Btw, for all your hatred of Galen Weston, the new CEO is actually bad news. In my experience, new CEOs like to make big changes, and change for them means firing people, cost cutting and ultimately laying off thousands of employees. I expect the thousands who work in the DC could be on the line, replaced by robots and 100% TFW like you see at Amazon. Corporate in Brampton is probably nervous. Typical: hire a foreigner to make unpopular cuts, sell off assets at discount, gut the company then resign when results don't match expectations. Then Galen comes back and says he'll "save" the remains.

Is Joe Fresh profitable? I rarely see them busy - new ceo "shut it down." Unions? "Shut it down" PC R&D "outsource to lower cost" Too many banners "shut down Zehrs, Valumart, Independent Grocer" but hey I don't like working in Brampton "ok shiny new hq please!"

People with government jobs for life don't understand the realities of working for a corporation.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

TIL Per Bank is a real person, not a joke lol.

Btw, for all your hatred of Galen Weston, the new CEO is actually bad news. In my experience, new CEOs like to make big changes, and change for them means firing people, cost cutting and ultimately laying off thousands of employees. I expect the thousands who work in the DC could be on the line, replaced by robots and 100% TFW like you see at Amazon. Corporate in Brampton is probably nervous. Typical: hire a foreigner to make unpopular cuts, sell off assets at discount, gut the company then resign when results don't match expectations. Then Galen comes back and says he'll "save" the remains.

People with government jobs for life don't understand the realities of working for a corporation.

I ran a $15 million/year business for five years, with 150 employees. And I have never worked for the government.

[harls]

Originally Posted by esquire

Galen be like "I don't get paid enough to put up with this shit"

Poor guy. "why don't they like me? I made commercials for god's sakes."

[MolsonExport]

Does this guy look likeable?

He's a complete phony at best, and soulless greedy asshole at worst. I am inclined to believe the latter.

I made $200 million last year!

[Coldrsx]

Interesting approach by Edmonton's Edmonton Downtown Business Association.

News Release

April 17, 2023

The Edmonton Downtown Business Association announces three new programs that will support business growth and more shopping and dining options for the Downtown community and increase vibrancy in the core.

Downtown Retail Project
Applications are now open for the Downtown Retail Project, a business attraction and incubation program for retailers that will help remove barriers and reduce risk for opening brick-and-mortar stores in the downtown core. Up to six retailers will receive up to $250,000 each to help offset the costs of building out a new downtown location. Businesses will also benefit from three-months' free rent and marketing and other operational support once stores are up and running.

"When we talk about downtown vibrancy, high retail vacancy and a lack of shopping options are among the most frequently brought up frustrations from downtown residents, visitors, workers, and business owners. We're committed to help bring back a much-needed fresh and diverse retail mix to downtown Edmonton and support business owners who see the potential of our downtown by removing some of the high start-up costs and financial risk, which are often a barrier to entry," says Puneeta McBryan, Executive Director, Edmonton Downtown Business Association.

The program is a partnership with commercial real estate advisors Avison Young, selected through a competitive RFP process, who will lead site selections, lease negotiations, permitting and store design and builds for six successful applicants. Avison Young will also lend their expertise and knowledge to assist in retaining tenants and landlords.

https://www.edmontondowntown.com/wp-...-Landlords.pdf

[urbandreamer]

Toronto's Pilot Coffee has opened on King Street North Uptown Waterloo. Around the corner, the long vacant space below the old Shopify location has a Dollarama under construction.

Molson Dry, you should've stayed with McD's maybe you'd be the real big boss now, managing thousands?

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

Toronto's Pilot Coffee has opened on King Street North Uptown Waterloo. Around the corner, the long vacant space below the old Shopify location has a Dollarama under construction.

Molson Dry, you should've stayed with McD's maybe you'd be the real big boss now, managing thousands?

It wasn't McDonald's (that was during the eighties and early nineties).

No thanks. I don't miss the extreme stress and low pay of retail management.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

Molson Dry, you should've stayed with McD's maybe you'd be the real big boss now, managing thousands?

He ain't a Dry, he's an Export!

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by Acajack

He ain't a Dry, he's an Export!

I think Molson Golden is also appropriate!