When it comes to grocery shopping in Canada, there are several major players in the market. From Loblaw Companies Limited, the largest food retailer in the country, to Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., the go-to destination for buying in bulk, these companies offer Canadians a wide range of options for purchasing groceries and household items.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 5 grocery chains in Canada, providing an overview of each company and highlighting some of their most interesting features.
1. Loblaw Companies Limited – Canada’s Largest Food Retailer
Loblaw Companies Limited is the largest food retailer in Canada, with over 1,000 grocery stores across the country. The company operates a wide range of store banners, including Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and T&T Supermarket. Loblaw is known for its President’s Choice brand, which includes a variety of food and household products.
| Interesting Facts about Loblaw Companies Limited |
|---|
| Founded in 1919 by Theodore Loblaw |
| Employs over 200,000 people |
| Sells over 70 million pounds of PC-branded coffee per year |
| Offers online grocery shopping and home delivery services |
Official website: www.loblaw.ca
2. Sobeys Inc – A Major Player in the Canadian Grocery Market
Sobeys Inc. is the second-largest food retailer in Canada, with over 1,500 stores across the country. The company operates a range of store banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, and FreshCo. Sobeys is known for its commitment to local food, with a focus on sourcing products from Canadian farmers and producers.
| Interesting Facts about Sobeys Inc. |
|---|
| Founded in 1907 by John W. Sobey |
| Employs over 130,000 people |
| Offers a loyalty program called AIR MILES |
| Has partnered with Ocado to launch online grocery shopping and home delivery services |
Official website: www.sobeys.com
3. Metro Inc. – A Leader in Freshness and Quality
Metro Inc. is the third-largest food retailer in Canada, with over 950 grocery stores across the country. The company operates a range of store banners, including Metro, Super C, and Food Basics. Metro is known for its focus on freshness and quality, offering a wide range of locally sourced products.
| Interesting Facts about Metro Inc. |
|---|
| Founded in 1947 by Rolland Jeanneau |
| Employs over 90,000 people |
| Offers a loyalty program called Metro & Moi |
| Has introduced automated checkouts in some stores |
Official website: www.corpo.metro.ca/en/home.html
4. Walmart Canada – Low Prices Every Day
Walmart Canada is a subsidiary of Walmart Inc., with over 400 stores across the country. The company offers a range of groceries and household items at discounted prices, under the banners of Walmart Supercentres and Walmart Discount Stores.
| Interesting Facts about Walmart Canada |
|---|
| Founded in 1994 |
| Employs over 90,000 people |
| Offers online grocery shopping and home delivery services |
| Has a partnership with Instacart for same-day grocery delivery |
Official website: www.walmart.ca/en
5. Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. – The Place to Buy in Bulk
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. is a subsidiary of Costco Wholesale Corporation, with over 100 stores across the country. The company offers a wide range of groceries and household items in bulk, at discounted prices.
| Interesting Facts about Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. |
|---|
| Founded in 1985 |
| Employs over 43,000 people |
| Offers a membership program called Costco Membership |
| Sells over 80 million hot dogs per year in its food courts |
Official website: www.costco.ca
