Market News

Nestlé pours major investment into better coffee

Looking for a way to improve the quality of its coffee products and secure raw material, Swiss company Nestlé is on a mission to train farmers over the next decade and better its development globally. The company, which makes Nescafé instant coffee and Nespresso brewing machines, is investing 7 million into the initiative. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, August 31, 2010

The secret to Smuckers' success

J.M. Smucker Co. was founded in 1897 by a farmer in Ohio named James Monroe Smucker. It has grown into a well-known brand and has managed to remain a family-run company. Here's a look at how the company has passed from one Smucker to another over the generations and how the executives have kept things all in the family.  Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, August 16, 2010

Metro profit rises, increases dividends

Metro Inc.'s quarterly earnings climbed 6.6 percent, despite persistent food deflation, the company said on Wednesday.  Source: BNN.ca August 11, 2010
 

Grocery sales up but specialty soars

The latest retail numbers from Statistics Canada show modest growth in grocery.

For shoppers, it’s all about price

Consumers shouldn't trash 'expired' products so quickly

Despite what your mother raised you to believe, most properly stored foods are safe for weeks after their package expiry date. A study by ShelfLifeAdvice.com and Harris Interactive shows that over three-quarters of U.S. consumers assume that certain foods shouldn't be eaten after the expiry date on the package has passed. The thing is, those dates are more conservative than most people realize.  Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, July 26, 2010

Loblaw to open more discount stores

Loblaw is making big expansion moves in an effort to increase profit and sales. The company plans to open more deep discount grocery stores, add several pharmacies and also launch standalone Joe Fresh stores. All of this comes as Loblaw faces a strike mandate from 35,000 Ontario employees (a provincial mediator is currently meeting with the involved parties).  Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, July 26, 2010

Inside the minds of Canadian grocery shoppers

A study of more than 5,000 Canadian supermarket shoppers has surprising insights about how consumers pick (and easily switch) their grocery stores. The wide-ranging study, conducted by Nielsen, gives revealing information on the pull of promotions and the impact of loyalty programs. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, July 19, 2010

Golden Pencil recipients announced

This year's recipients of the 2010 Golden Pencil Award are Pierre Sevigny, vice-president of operations - Quebec Division of Sobey's Inc. and Tom Singer, president of Reinhart Foods.

Good times? Canadians eating out more often

After tightening their belts when the economy was sluggish, Canadians are starting to dine out more often. Restaurant traffic grew modestly in the first quarter of 2010, up 2.3 per cent compared with the same period one year ago, says NPD Group. Source:  Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, June 21, 2010

Dollarama reports profits, addresses China labour strikes

Montreal-based Dollarama recently reported the discount chain's first-quarter profit doubled to .4 million over the same period last year. Larry Rossy, president and founder, also assured stakeholders that work stoppages in China-where the company's stores get roughly 90 per cent of their imports-haven't impacted the business in Canada.  Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, June 21, 2010

Walmart enters banking realm in Canada

It's official: Walmart Canada has launched its own bank and rewards credit card in Canada. Last week, the company introduced Walmart Canada Bank and a no-fee Walmart Mastercard (with an 18.99 per cent preferred interest rate) and says it's targeting its own customer base with this initiative.  Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, June 21, 2010

Retailers stocking fewer SKUs

The average food store in the US decreased CPG variety by one per cent in 2009, with most grocery retailers planning to trim assortments in 2010, according to the Nielsen Company.  Source:  Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, June 21, 2010 

P&G's Healey on Invading 'Whitespace' via Innovation

An uncertain economy hasn’t prompted Procter & Gamble to stop emphasizing innovation over price. Recent introductions including Crest 3D White (with an improved formula that promises whiter teeth) and Gillette Fusion ProGlide (which has been redesigned to give a smoother shave) show the company is committed to using R&D to grow and defend its market share. In an e-mail interview, Procter & Gamble North American group president Melanie Healey discussed the strategy.

Grand Prix winners announced

A probiotic yogurt targeted at women over 40 and an Atlantic Salmon packaged on a presoaked cedar grilling plank were big winners at the 17th annual Grand Prix New Product Awards last week.

Loblaw plans drugstore expansion

Canada’s largest supermarket said it plans to expand more aggressively into the drug store business in the wake of dramatic proposed changes in Ontario’s regulatory environment.

McCain Foods Canada announces major executive changes

McCain Foods (Canada), the Canadian division of McCain Foods Limited, recently announced key leadership changes.

Overwaitea Food Group brings new sustainably grown salmon to market

The Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) is widening the options for consumers concerned about healthy oceans and sustainable seafood.

McCain gives million to fight hunger

McCain Foods has inked a deal with Food Banks of Canada that will see the New Brunswick-based food manufacturer donate a minimum of million in cash and food over the next three years to programs that fight hunger.

Metro launches loyalty program

Metro Inc. is launching a loyalty rewards program for its customers in Quebec under the name "Metro & Moi."

Kraft gets a little less salty

Kraft Foods says it will cut the amount of salt in its products in North America by an average of 10% over the next two years.

Food makers hungry for deals

The recent purchase of Cadbury by Kraft Foods will likely spur other food makers around the world to go on a shopping spree.

Wal-Mart drops food prices in the West

Wal-Mart says it's lowering prices on certain food staples at stores in Western Canada.

Loblaw plugs into solar panels

Loblaw Companies plans to install solar-electric panels on 100 of its stores in Ontario as part of a provincial program that plugs commercial solar panels into the electricity grid.

Sales, profits up at Sobeys

Sales at Sobeys rose .6 million to .77 billion in the three-month period ending January 30, an increase of 0.9% compared to the same period a year earlier.

Wal-Mart speeds up Supercentre expansion

Wal-Mart Canada will add 35 to 40 new Supercentres this year as it tries to gain a larger share of the grocery market.

2009 dismal for most, not so bad for grocers

Sales at supermarkets, grocery stores and convenience stores weathered the recession rather well last year, according to Canadian Grocer's annual Market Survey.

Food sales become an acquired taste for Canadian Tire

Staff on the store floor grumbled when Canadian Tire began testing food sales, but so far the pilot project is getting good results.

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Cheap-chic retailer Target coming to Canada

The much-loved ``cheap-chic'' discount chain, Target Corp., referred to by fans as "Tar-Jay," says it has Canada in its sights as part of a future international expansion plan.

Kraft nears agreed takeover deal for Cadbury

LONDON (Reuters) - Kraft Foods was close to announcing a recommended deal to buy Cadbury for around 11.7 billion pounds (.2 billion) after it offered more cash in late-night talks to break a four-month impasse over price. The deal would create the world's largest confectionery group ahead of privately owned Mars-Wrigley.

Kraft reaches billion deal for Cadbury

LONDON (CNNMoney.com) -- Kraft reached a billion deal Tuesday to buy Cadbury, finally succeeding in its takeover of the 200-year-old British candy maker after sweetening its offer.

Campbell Canada Expands Food Bank Commitment

Campbell Company of Canada and Food Banks Canada announced a comprehensive multi-year agreement that will support hunger relief across Canada through the donation of nutritious food, charitable funds, educational resources and other awareness and community programs.

Couche-Tard Acquires Eight Stores in North Carolina

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announces that it has signed, through its subsidiary Circle K Stores Inc., an agreement to acquire eight stores in central North Carolina from Accel Marketing LLC, which operates under the "Accel" banner.

Grocery Sales and Profits Robust in '09: Grocery Trade Review

According to George Morris Centre's latest "Grocery Trade Review," Canadian supermarket sales are going to be above the billion mark in 2009, a 5% increase over 2008. This 5% sales increase is conservative as actual sales could increase by 5.5%—the largest increase in the last five years at least and is driven by higher food prices. » Full Story Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, January 18, 2010

Food Safety Progress Limited Due to Lack of Clear Direction: Deloitte Report

According to a new report by Deloitte, Safe to move: Food safety risks are rising, it's time for action, food safety risks are rising and the challenges transcend the entire food supply chain, from farmers and food producers, to distributors, food service companies, product manufacturers and retailers.

Foodland Ontario Retailer Award Winners

On Oct. 20 the innovative efforts of 59 grocery retailers to promote Ontario's fresh food products were recognized with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards.

Tool Helps Shoppers "Eco-Audit" Their Edibles

Vancouver's online organic grocer spud! will release a new web-based tool to help its customers determine the environmental savings of each of their orders.

Grocer Feeds Victoria's Appetite for Local Produce

The owners of Victoria's Rootseller Village Green Grocer were named the Business Development Bank of Canada's Young Entrepreneurs of the Year for British Columbia.

Loblaw Rewards Part-time Workers in Full

Nearly 100 unionized grocery store workers in Montreal became the first of 2,000 Loblaw Cos. Ltd. part-time employees across Quebec to be given full-time status as part of the supermarket giant's business strategy.

Loblaw to Convert Organic Waste into Electricity

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and London, Ont.-based StormFisher Biogas have agreed to convert all organic trimmings produced at Loblaw corporate grocery stores in southwestern Ontario into renewable energy. » Full Story Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, October 23, 2009

T&T Arrives With a Bang

The arrival of T&T Supermarket Inc. in a sprawling 51,000-sq.-ft. store at 224 Hunt Club Rd., near Riverside Drive, Ottawa, on Oct. 28 is being greeted with anticipation in foodie circles and, in some cases, a little anxiety in Chinatown.

Loblaw Named One of Canada's Top 100 Employers

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2010 in recognition of its efforts to attract and retain employees and create a great workplace environment.

Maple Leaf Opens Innovation Centre

Maple Leaf Foods opened a new million innovation centre in Ontario to concentrate on its bakery and protein businesses.

Cost of Eating Rises

Even though the overall consumer price index has fallen by 0.9% year over year, Canadians are feeling the pinch as Statistics Canada reported that food prices were 5.6% higher in grocery stores in July than they were a year ago.

Loblaw Focuses on Local Produce

To compete with farmer's markets, Loblaw is running its national "Grown Close to Home" campaign for the second year, which labels local produce.

Joe Fresh Moves to Main Street

Loblaw Cos. is taking its Joe Fresh Style brand to main street, signing a deal to open an 8,000-sq.-ft. boutique on Queen Street West in Toronto.

Conveyer Belt Advertising at Sobeys

Recently launched conveyor belt advertising is gliding its way into Eastern Canada stores this month, as part of Sobeys' recent partnership with U.S.-based EnVision Marketing Group, producers of the conveyor belt ad product, Art-N-Line. http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20090721/sobeys.html?__s=yes Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, July 28, 2009

Loblaw Purchases Asian Grocery Chain

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. announced that it is buying T&T Supermarket, Canada's biggest Asian food retailer, for 5 million. The company is aiming to extend its offerings to what it says is the country's largest growing customer segment.

Golden Pencil Recipients Announced

The nominating committee of The Food Industry Association of Canada received record response for nominations of the 2009 Golden Pencil Award, the grocery industry's highest honour.

Loblaw Makes Commitment to Sustainable Seafood

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. announced a commitment to source all seafood sold in its retail locations from sustainable sources by the end of 2013.

Walmart Closes Doors at Sam's Clubs

Walmart Canada Corp. announced that it is closing its six Ontario Sam's Club locations in March.

Call to Regulate Trans Fat

The Heart and Stroke Foundation wants Ottawa to regulate the amount of trans fats that producers can include in foods, instead of relying on companies' voluntary compliance to meet low trans fat targets.

New Organic Regulations Applauded

On June 30, only products with organic content greater than 95% can be labelled "organic" under new federal regulations, and use a new logo from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Walmart Canada Rebranded

Walmart Canada is planning for a record year of price reductions as it rebranded to operate under a new logo and the slogan: "Save money. Live better."

Loblaw Profit Quadruples

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. said fourth-quarter profit more than quadrupled because higher sales and restructuring expenses were lower than the company expected. Net income climbed to 8 million from million a year earlier, the company said in a statement.

Wal-Mart Opens First Vancouver Store

Wal-Mart opened its first Vancouver store Jan. 21 in the old Costco location near Grandview and Broadway.

David Jeffs Joins Sobeys Inc.

Sobeys Inc. has announced the appointment of David Jeffs as president operations, Sobeys Ontario.

Maple Leaf Foods CEO Named Business Newsmaker of the Year

Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, has been named Canada's 2008 Business Newsmaker of the Year, as chosen in an annual survey of editors and broadcasters by the Canadian Press. His response to the listeriosis outbreak this summer showed compassion and cutthroat business sense, and helped the company emerge relatively unscathed from one of the worst food-borne illness outbreaks in Canadian history. http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/090101/n010119A.html Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, Jan. 12, 2009

Competition Heating Up in Orillia Retail Sector

With Wal-Mart set to open up a 170,000-sq.-ft. Supercentre Jan. 17, a Giant Tiger under construction on Atherley Road and a new location for Shoppers Drug Mart on Westmount Drive, Orillia will see an expanded retail market in the coming months.

Dining Out Less Popular: NPD Group

NPD Group's "Eating Patterns in Canada" study suggests most Canadian households are planning to cut down on dining out.

Wal-Mart Has Record Year on Price Reduction

Wal-Mart Canada is putting hundreds of price reductions on food, in addition to its "Everyday Low Prices."

First B.C. Grocer to Offer All Local Opens

Brambles Market, the first grocer in B.C. to offer strictly British Columbia products, recently opened in the town of Courtenay (two-and-a-half hours north of Victoria).

Maple Leaf Unveils Food Safety Campaign

Maple Leaf Foods has launched the second phase of a nationwide damage-control campaign aimed at restoring consumer confidence in the brand.

Agropur Expands U.S. Presence

Agropur, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Schroeder Milk, a milk processing company located in Maplewood, Minn.

Loblaw Chooses Manhattan Associates

Loblaw Cos., Ltd. selected Atlanta-based Manhattan Associates' Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) to support its distribution centre operations.

More Shoppers Turning To Kosher Items

The kosher food market is in the midst of a record boom. The business is worth 5 million in Canada, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Services study, and growing annually by almost 20%.

Union Certified at Saskatchewan Wal-Mart Store

Weyburn, Sask., is now home to the only unionized Wal-Mart in Western Canada after a five-year battle between the company and union.

Empire Second-Quarter Profit Increases

Empire Co., the owner of Canada?s second-biggest supermarket chain, said second-quarter profit rose 13% as its Sobeys food stores benefitted from a lull in food-price competition among grocers.

George Weston to Sell U.S. Baked Goods Unit

George Weston Ltd. sold its fresh bread and baked goods business in the U.S. to Mexico's Grupo Bimbo for US.5 billion.

Bigger Profits for Metro/A&P

Bigger Profit for Metro as Rebranding Rolls Out Metro Inc. is expecting to ring in a stronger holiday-shopping season as intense competition in Ontario has declined from last year.

Canadian Tire to Test Groceries

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. is considering an expansion into the grocery business.

Saputo to Buy Weston's Neilson Unit

Cheesemaker Saputo Inc. has agreed to buy the Neilson Dairy unit from George Weston Ltd. for 5 million and will become the biggest milk producer in Canada.

PepsiCo Reorganizes Structure

PepsiCo businesses in Canada are moving to a realigned organizational structure to strengthen the company?s current leadership position and drive future growth.

Metro Banner Launches in Ontario

With the conversion of six Dominion locations in Toronto, the Metro banner was launched in Ontario last week.

Alberto Culver Announces Noxzema Acquisition

Alberto Culver Company announced that it had closed the transaction to acquire the worldwide rights and trademarks to the Noxzema skin care brand from The Procter & Gamble Company, which includes the existing business in the United States, Canada and portions of Latin America.

Analyst Says Canadian Grocery Shares Worth a Look

Investors are warming once again to the shares of Canadian food retailers as a profit squeeze from food inflation nears an end, according to a Dundee Capital Markets analyst. In the recent past, intense competition has prevented Canadian supermarket operators from passing on price increases to customers and many of them cut prices to stay competitive as discounter Wal-Mart expanded its food business in Canada.

Metro to Price Match on Staple Items

Metro Inc. said that its Food Basics discount stores will be competitive in price-matching staple products as it faces stiff competition from rivals such as Wal-Mart Canada.

Sobeys Launches its Own Card

Grocery banner Sobeys Inc. is the latest retailer to enter the co-branded credit-card segment.

Wal-Mart Applies to Open Bank in Canada

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. has applied for a licence to set up a bank, a move that would allow the retail giant to expand financial services in the country.

Wal-Mart Cuts Staple Food Prices

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it would cut prices on bread, milk, butter and eggs in the province of Ontario, putting pressure on its rivals.

Shoppers to Launch Luxury Beauty Chain

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. is preparing to launch a free-standing luxury beauty chain later this year.

Metro Net Earnings Increased in Q3

Metro Inc. realized net earnings of .6 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared with .3 million for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, an increase of 3.7%, and fully diluted net earnings per share of %MARKETNEWS:20%.82 compared with %MARKETNEWS:20%.77 last year, an increase of 6.5%.

Metro to Drop A&P and Dominion Names

Metro Inc. announced that it will merge its five conventional food store banners in Ontario under the Metro name starting in September 2008.

Loblaw Chooses Distribution Hub

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. has chosen Saskatchewan as the new location for its western Canadian distribution facility.

M&M Meat Shops to Open Stores in U.S.

M&M Meat Shops Ltd., the country's largest specialty frozen foods retailer, is taking its concept to the United States under the name MyMenu to reflect that its products go beyond just meat.

Loblaw Moves Ahead with 40-store Expansion

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. reported a modest 1.5% increase in sales, but profit rose 18% as Canada's largest grocery-store chain faced reduced restructuring charges during the quarter.

New Food Labels for Allergy Sufferers

Allergy sufferers will have a clearer indication whether prepackaged foods contain such ingredients as peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat and shellfish under new labelling requirements unveiled by the federal government.

Shoppers Q2 Results Beat Bay Street Estimates

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. posted second-quarter results that beat Bay Street estimates and showed up very well against other major publicly owned drugstore chains in North America.

Unilever in Talks to Sell Laundry Business

Unilever is in late-stage talks to sell its North American laundry business to Huish Detergents.

Campbell Purchases Wolfgang Puck Soup

Campbell Soup Co. has purchased the Wolfgang Puck soup business from Country Gourmet Foods.

Coca-Cola Deploys Canada's Largest Hybrid Trucks

Coco-Cola Bottling Company announced that it will introduce 10 heavy-duty hybrid-electric trucks to its fleet in Toronto.

Smucker Acquires Folgers from P&G

J.M. Smucker Co. announced that it would acquire the Folgers coffee business from Procter & Gamble Co. for stock valued at US.95-billion plus the assumption of 0 million in debt.

George Weston Profit Up After Loblaw Cuts Costs

George Weston Ltd.'s first- quarter profit rose 26% after its Loblaw food unit reduced expenses.

Expansion Plan at Wal-Mart Canada

Wal-Mart Canada Corp., which will open its 300th store in Canada this spring, has announced plans for up to 27 new real estate projects by the end of January next year.

Baskin-Robbins Co-founder Passes Away at 90

Irvine Robbins passed away at his home in California last week at the age of 90.

Sobeys Debuts 'Urban' Store in Edmonton

Sobeys unveiled its "Urban Fresh" store format in Edmonton last week.

Wal-Mart Plans Biggest U.S. Store

Wal-Mart plans to open its biggest U.S. store on the outskirts of Albany, NY, report US media sources.

Shoppers to Open New Beauty Stores

Shoppers Drug Mart is going after a higher stake in the Canadian beauty market by launching a new store banner.

GSW Launches Opportunities Pavilion

One of the attractions of Grocery Showcase West, produced by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, will be the launch of the new 2010 Olympic Opportunities Pavilion.

Wal-Mart Brand Milk in U.S. Hormone Free

U.S. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is selling milk free of bovine growth hormone under its own label as part of an expansion of organic and health-oriented goods.

Wal-Mart set to open 'green' store

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open its latest generation of energy-efficient test stores this week with a Las Vegas Supercenter that uses new cooling technology to cut overall energy use by up to 45 per cent.

J.M. Smucker to Acquire Europe's Best

The J.M. Smucker Company has announced that it has entered into an agreement, through subsidiary, to acquire Europe's Best, Inc., a privately owed company headquartered in Montreal that specializes in frozen fruit.

SDM to Debut Organic Food Line

In the second quarter of this year Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. will debut a new line of organic products called Nativa.

SKUs Sooner to Shelves—Loblaw

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. says it can cut the time it takes to get products on shelves in half by overhauling the supply chain that gets goods from suppliers to stores.

Sobeys Store at Calgary Polytechnic

Sobeys has opened a convenience store at Calgary's Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic.

Grocery Stores Try Digital Coupons

Supermarket chains are experimenting with paperless, or digital, coupons, to help eco-minded shoppers save time and money.

Sears to break into several companies

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) -- Sears Holdings Corp. plans to reorganize into several companies in another bid to pull the ailing 121-year-old retailer out the doldrums, according to a report published Saturday.

Produce Traceability Lays Groundwork for Standards Program

The steering committee of the Produce Traceability Initiative, launched by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association (United), has laid the groundwork for a produce traceability initiative.

Ontario Will Not Ban Plastic Bags

Premier Dalton McGuinty of Ontario said his government has no plans to ban plastic shopping bags.

Wal-Mart U.S. to Test Smaller Grocery Stores

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open four small-format grocery stores under the name "Marketside" to rival British retailer Tesco.

Canadian Grocer Voted One of Canada's Most Influential Magazines

Canadian Grocer has been named one of Canada's most influential magazines of all time by Masthead magazine, a trade publication covering the Canadian magazine industry.

Wal-Mart's Round-the-clock Strategy

During the recent holidays, 190 Wal-Mart stores remained open 24/7.

A&P U.S. Sells Its Metro Inc. Shares

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company has sold all of its 11,726,645 shares of Metro Inc. for approximately US7 million. Some 1,500,000 of the shares were bought by Metro. The sale will help A&P finance its purchase of Pathmark Stores in the United States. Montvale, N.J.-based A&P expects that it would complete its US.3 billion acquisition in early December. The A&P/Pathmark transaction was delayed by anti-trust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A&P has now agreed to sell an unspecified number of stores at the behest of the FTC. A&P operates 337 supermarkets and Pathmark has 140 in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, Nov. 30, 2007

Some Wal-Mart Stores to Stay Open 24 Hours a Day

About 80 of Wal-Mart's 298 Canadian stores will open 24 hours a day from Dec. 1 to Christmas Eve.

Ambitious Growth Plans for Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire plans to open 60 to 70 new stores per year over the next five year, boosting retail revenue by 6% each year.

GIC Trade Show and Conference "Fantastic"

John F.T. Scott, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, which produces the Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) trade show and conference, described this year's (Oct. 29 to 30) version of the gathering in Toronto as "fantastic."

Clorox Co. Buys Burt's Bees

Clorox Co. has purchased beauty product manufacturer Burt's Bees for US5 million.

Unit Sales Help Raise Maple Leaf Foods Profit

Maple Leaf Foods posted significant profit (0.4 million) in its third quarter helped by the sale of its livestock-feed business.

Ethanol Popularity Increases Food Prices

Conversion of corn to ethanol is raising food prices while delivering dubious energy benefits, according to Jeff Rubin, chief economist at CIBC World Markets.

Lassonde Acquires McCain Foods Ready-to-Drink Fruit Drinks

A. Lassonde Inc. and parent company Lassonde Industries Inc., based in Rougemont, Que., has announced that it has concluded an agreement to acquire assets related to the manufacture and marketing of McCain Foods (Canada) ready-to-drink fruit juices and fruit drinks.

Flaherty Pressures Retailers to Lower Prices

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has urged Canadian retailers to lower their prices to reflect the strong dollar but many say they don't control costs.

Wal-Mart Canada to Introduce George Home

George Home is scheduled to arrive soon into Wal-Mart Canada stores.

Health Canada Looks to Clearer Labels

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are responding to consumers who are confused by the statements about the possible presence of allergens in food. Health Canada said it is reviewing the labelling of items often associated with food allergies and allergic-type reactions.

Carnation Acquired by J.M. Smucker

The J.M. Smucker Company has announced its subsidiary, Smucker Foods of Canada Co., has acquired the Canadian Carnation brand canned milk products business from Nestlé Canada.

GIC '07 Promises Fresh Ideas

The 8th annual Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) trade show and conference (Oct. 29-30) at the Toronto Congress Centre, promises to offer attendees plenty of information on trends, issues and innovations impacting grocery stores.

Canadian Grocery Shoppers Ready for RFID, Survey

Although RFID tagging is still in the experimental stage in Canadian grocery stores, a new survey by TNS Canadian Facts reveals Canadians are keen on the technology.

High Liner Swings to Profit in Q4

High Liner Foods Inc. says it has rebounded in its fourth-quarter, posting a profit of .3 million, which compares to a loss of .5 million that the company posted a year ago.

U.S. retailer buyout activity increasing in Canada

Without a doubt, we are really seeing the Americanization of the Canadian retail sector. And with the world awash in private-equity money and cheap credit, more potential foreign buyers have put Canadian retailers on their radar screens.

More changes in high places for Loblaw

Troubled Loblaw [has taken] another big step in trying to restore its battered supermarket franchise.

Loblaw Liquidating Excess Non-Food Goods

Loblaw says it will liquidate its excess inventories of kitchen accessories, bed and bath products, electronics and more—a move that will cost the retailer a pre-tax charge of between 0 and 0 million in Q4.

Canadian food retailers jumping onto high-tech bandwagon

Canadian retailers are shopping for the future [and] store owners are now turning their attention to high-tech marvels that will ultimately transform the shopping experience. In this new landscape, self-serve checkouts will get smarter, displays will point customers directly to the product they're looking for and downloading will no longer be limited to Internet websites.

Canadian food retailers jumping onto high-tech bandwagon

Canadian retailers are shopping for the future [and] store owners are now turning their attention to high-tech marvels that will ultimately transform the shopping experience. In this new landscape, self-serve checkouts will get smarter, displays will point customers directly to the product they're looking for and downloading will no longer be limited to Internet websites.

Sobey Brothers Named to Hall of Fame

David Sobey, chairman emeritus of Sobeys Inc., and Donald Sobey, chairman emeritus of Empire Company Ltd., are to be inducted into The Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

Sobeys Posts Slightly Higher Earnings

Higher sales helped Sobeys' second-quarter earnings edge up slightly to .2 million from .8 million a year ago.

7-Eleven Plans North American Expansion

Competition from supermarkets and rival c-stores has prompted 7-Eleven to start serving up hot meals and to expand its number of North American outlets by 30%. North America's largest convenience store chain says it will open about 2,000 new stores in Canada and the United States by 2010; 7-Eleven currently operates 6,100 outlets in the two countries.

Nestlé to Buy Novartis Food Unit

The world's biggest food and drink company, Nestlé SA has reached a US.5 billion deal to buy the medical nutrition unit of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis. The deal does not include, however, Novartis' infant nutrition division, Gerber Products. Nestlé says the acquisition is in line with its focus on becoming a nutrition, health and wellness company and follows its recent US0 million purchase of U.S. food company Jenny Craig. The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, is expected to wrap up in the second half of 2007. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, December 15, 2006.

Coca-Cola Appoints COO

The Coca-Cola Co. has named Muhtar Kent its president and chief operating officer, filling a role that has been vacant since 2004.

Five Retailers Elected to CFIG's Board

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers has announced the election of five retailers to its board of directors.

Get Ready for Grocery Showcase West

April 15-16: CFIG's Grocery Showcase West, 18 th Annual Spring Conference and Trade Show, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Maple Leaf to Shed Animal Feed Business

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has enlisted the help of a financial advisor to assist in the sale of its Maple Leaf Animal Nutrition and related businesses.

Wal-Mart Sets its Sights on India

India appears to be the next frontier for retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. as the company unveils plans to open hundreds of stores to grab its share of India's estimated 0 billion retail market.

Golden Pencil Winners Honoured

Anthony Longo of Longo Bros. Fruit Markets and Christi Strauss of General Mills Canada were honoured as the 2006 recipients of the Golden Pencil Award at a ceremony in Toronto on November 20.

Higher Sales Boost George Weston's Q3

Canadian food processing and distributing giant, George Weston Ltd. says its third-quarter net income rose nearly 15% to 6 million, helped by higher sales during the period.

Sobeys to Build New Distribution Centre Near Toronto

Sobeys Inc. has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art grocery distribution centre in Vaughn, Ont.—north of Toronto.

Couche-Tard Posts 35% Profit Jump

Higher margins on gasoline sales as well as the expansion of its U.S. network helped Alimentation Couche-Tard's second-quarter profit jump 35% to US.7 million.

Sobeys Debuts Reusable Shopping Bag

Sobeys is the latest retailer to launch a reusable grocery bag in an effort to "divert plastic bags from the waste stream".

Earnings Up at Saputo

Strong sales in Canada helped dairy giant Saputo's profit increase 5.6% to .3 million, despite a weaker performance in the United States in its second quarter.

Profits Climb 15% at Shoppers Drug Mart

Higher sales helped Shoppers Drug Mart post a 15.1% earnings jump to 4 million in its third quarter, compared to 8 million a year ago.

Safeway rumoured to be takeover target

Speculation circulated [Nov. 9] on Wall Street that Safeway Inc. may be a takeover target for Sears Holdings Corp., the parent of the Sears and Kmart department store chains.

Loblaw pledges to respect heritage of Maple Leaf Gardens

Loblaw Companies Limited purchased the Gardens in 2004 and plans are underway to [transform it into] a flagship grocery store.

Food chain wraps up RFID pilot

A few weeks after completing its first RFID [radio frequency identification] pilot, Loblaw Companies Ltd. announced that the preliminary results have already helped the retailer identify ways to improve the flow of product into its stores.

Wal-Mart Canada unveils grocery force to be reckoned with; 17 Supercentres planned by end of '07

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. will have up to 17 of its giant hybrid grocery stores open by the end of next year, executives said at a preview of a Supercentre in Stouffville, north of Toronto.

Calloway Pays Billion for Wal-Mart Anchored Malls

Calloway Real Estate Investment Fund has agreed to pay billion to buy 16 shopping centre properties from privately owned SmartCentres, run by developer Mitch Goldhar.

Wal-Mart Eyes Downtown Toronto

Wal-Mart developer Mitch Goldhar has acquired a 50% stake in a downtown Toronto site raising speculation that the city may soon be getting its first downtown big box.

Wal-Mart Canada Mulls Banking

Banking is the latest business that Wal-Mart Canada Inc. is considering expanding into as the grocery wars heat up with the opening of Wal-Mart's Supercentres earlier this month.

Heinz Buys Renée's Gourmet

Heinz Canada has purchased salad dressing maker Renée's Gourmet for an undisclosed amount.

Wal-Mart Supercentres Arrive

The battle for the fresh food dollar is heating up in Ontario with the much-anticipated debut of two Wal-Mart Supercentres in the province.

Changes at Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

The Coca-Cola Bottling company has promoted Alain Robichaud to the role of vice-president, sales operations. Robichaud previously held the position of market unit vice-president, Quebec/Atlantic.

Couche-Tard Expands Again

Again Quebec-based convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard is expanding its U.S. network once again, with the purchase of 236 stores and gas stations in four states.

Pareto Buys Secom Plus

Toronto-based marketing services company, Pareto Corporation says it has purchased Montreal-based Secom Plus, a retail sales and merchandising company.

Loblaw and Wal-Mart

With Loblaw and Wal-Mart stepping up promotion of their Joe Fresh and George clothing lines respectively, fashion is emerging as the latest category for these retailers to do battle.

Shoppers Unveils Big Plans

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. says plans are in the works to open up to 300 big box stores over the next five years.

Canadian Tire Steps Up Plans for Larger Stores

Encouraged by strong sales, Toronto-based Canadian Tire Corp. says it plans to step up the rollout of its larger-format outlets.

German food retailer separates scanning and payment to speed up checkout

This summer, German-based retail giant The Metro Group, started quietly experimenting with a radical change in supermarket layout and procedure: physically separating where groceries get scanned and where customers make their payments.

Coca-Cola Looks to Coffee and Tea to Heat Up Sales

With the fizz gone out of soda sales, Coca-Cola is setting its sights on the hot beverage market with its debut of a new line of coffees and teas.

Sobeys to Convert Ontario IGA Outlets

Under a new corporate restructuring plan, Sobeys Inc. is about to convert most IGA outlets in Ontario to either the Sobeys, Foodland or Price Chopper banners.

Jean Coutu Group To Sell U.S. Drugstores

Longueuil, Que.-based Jean Coutu Group Inc. will sell its United States drugstore chains Eckerd and Brooks to Rite Aid Corp national drugstore group for US.45 billion in cash, stock and 0 assumed debt.

Wal-Mart Canada Advises Suppliers on Price

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. has advised its suppliers to explore new ways to lower prices.

A&P Acquisition Fuels Metro Profit

Metro Inc.'s third-quarter profit zoomed 50% after the Montreal-based supermarket chain digested its .7 billion purchase of A&P last year. In its August 10th report the company said it earned .1 million, or 73 cents a share.

Florida Shopping Spree for Couche-Tard

Laval, Que.-based Couche-Tard convenience store chain has announced that it would purchase 24 c-stores in west-central Florida from Sparky's Oil Co. and 54 Ohio c-stores from Holland Oil Co.

Management Buyout at Groupe Danone\'s Canadian Bottled H20 Business

Birch Hill Equity Partners Inc., a private-equity company spun from Toronto-Dominion Bank, has backed a management buyout of Groupe Danone's Canadian bottled-water business, reports Financial Post.

Food and Beverage Store Sales up 2%

Food and Beverage store sales went up by 2.0% in the first half of 2006 compared to last year. In its national survey of retail sales released last month, J.C. Williams research and consulting firm of Toronto reported that by June 2006 food and beverage store sales had risen to .7 billion compared to .4 billion in 2005.

PepsiCo Names First Woman CEO

Indra Nooyi will assume the top position at global beverage giant PepsiCo Inc., in October.

PepsiCo Names First Woman CEO

Indra Nooyi will assume the top position at global beverage giant PepsiCo Inc., in October.

PepsiCo Names First Woman CEO

Indra Nooyi will assume the top position at global beverage giant PepsiCo Inc., in October.

Strong Q2 for E.D. Smith

Revenue growth, spurred by acquisitions, helped E.D. Smith Income Fund earn a profit of .6 million in its second quarter.

Wal-Mart food format begins southern Ontario invasion

Wal-Mart is Canada's single largest non-food retailer with an estimated billion a year in sales. It's [now] preparing to take on the supermarket industry in a battle for control of Canada's billion a year grocery business.

Sobeys makes move into Quebec

Sobeys Inc. announced [August 9] it will buy the distribution assets of Quebec-based Achille de la Chevrotiere and its associated companies ADL.

Metro\'s A&P takeover factors positively into Q3 results

Metro Inc.'s third-quarter profit increased nearly 50 per cent to .1 million, thanks in large part to its 2005 acquisition of A&P Canada.

Wal-Mart wins B.C. union ruling

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. says the British Columbia Labour Relations Board has ruled in favour of Wal-Mart in a case involving attempts by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to unionize 10 workers in the auto department of a B.C. Wal-Mart store.

Metro\'s Profit Jumps 50%

Higher sales following its acquisition of A&P Canada a year ago helped Metro Inc. boost its profit by nearly 50%.

Sobeys to Buy Achille de la Chevrotière

Sobeys Inc. has agreed to pay million to acquire the food distribution assets of Quebec-based Achille de la Chevrotière Ltèe.

Grocers Won\'t Face Charges Over Sunday Shopping

Crown prosecutors and police in Nova Scotia say they will not lay charges against Loblaw-owned Atlantic Superstore and Sobeys over alleged violations to the province's Sunday shopping ban.

Coutu to Revamp U.S. Stores

Quebec-based Jean Coutu Group Inc. says it will spend US0 upgrading its U.S. network of stores.

SunOpta Unveils Plan for Ethanol Plant

A Brampton, Ont.-based distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods has set its sights on building the first commercial plant for producing ethanol from biomass.

New Chief at Shoppers Drug Mart

Jurgen Schreiber has been named the new president and chief operating officer at Shoppers Drug Mart. .

General Mills President from Down Under

Dave Homer is the new president at General Mills Canada, succeeding Christi Strauss.

Whole Foods Considers Tweaking Prices

With sales falling short of analysts' forecasts, Whole Foods Market is considering lowering its prices on certain items to be more competitive with other food retailers.

Golden Pencil Winners Named

Anthony Longo, president and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, and Christi Strauss, former president of General Mills Canada and now CEO, Cereal Partners Worldwide in Switzerland, will receive the Golden Pencil award this year.

Wal-Mart Exits Germany

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced it is pulling out of Germany, selling its 85 supercentres to rival Metro Group.

Kraft Partners with Meal-Assembly Chain

U.S.-based Kraft Foods Inc. has announced plans to collaborate with Dinner by Design, a leader in the home meal assembly business.

New Rules Protect N.S. Retail Workers

Grocery retailers in Nova Scotia operating outlets greater than 4,000 square feet must offer staff the right to refuse to work on Sundays and holidays, according to a new rules introduced by the provincial government.

Executive Moves

Sobeys Exec Moves to Canadian Tire Duncan Reith is now senior vice-president, Canadian Tire Retail. Reith was previously chief merchandising officer at Sobeys Inc.

Profits Climb 18% at Shoppers Drug Mart

Strong second-quarter sales across the country helped Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. boost its profit by 18% to million.

Key Fall Events to Mark on your Calendar

October 23-24: Grocery Innovations Canada 2006, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto. October 29-November 2: Pack Expo International 2006, McCormick Place, Chicago.

It\'s Grocery Innovation Time Again this Fall

The 7th edition of Grocery Innovations Canada 2006 is recognized as a critical business booster for the grocery industry.

Food industry gets a taste of RFID\'s potential

A cabal of Canadian food companies have agreed to share their findings as they embark on a joint RFID pilot project, scheduled to begin later this month.

Vancouver versus the Big Box

The debate over big boxes continues in Vancouver with city council reconsidering whether it will allow big boxes such as Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire to set up shop within city limits.

GST changeover goes \'smoothly\'

Retailers experienced relatively few problems in adjusting to the one-per-cent cut in the Goods and Services Tax over the holiday weekend.

Manitoba facing the same labour market challenges as Alberta

Manitoba is in dire need of workers - from engineers, and company leaders to grocery store cashiers.

Safeway to convert all North American outlets to \'lifestyle\' format

Attributing its strong sales and earnings growth largely to the rollout of its 'lifestyle' stores, Safeway Inc. says it now plans to convert all of its 1,772 Canadian and U.S. outlets to the lifestyle format by the close of fiscal 2009.

Major e-retailer moves into U.S. grocery business

Amazon.com has launched a new grocery section on its site that features some 14,000 items and the ability to get free shipping through either the company's Super Saver Shipping program or prepaid Amazon Prime program.

Independent seeks out new tastes

Starting June 1, products [from] New Zealand [such as] liquid kiwifruit, steamed puddings, handmade soups and organic hot sauces will be available at Longo's grocery stores.

Canada Grabs Two SIAL D\'Or Awards

Canadian products captured two of eight prestigious SIAL d'Or awards, indicating they are the best new products in the world, at the competition held recently in Paris, France.

Strong Q1 for Connor Bros

Toronto-based fish processor Connor Bros. Income Fund said its first-quarter profit jumped 75% to US million, from US.9 million a year ago, surpassing its expectations.

Earnings Up At Premium Brands

Premium Brands Income Fund—producer, marketer and distributor of specialty banded consumer food products—reported that first quarter earnings climbed to .8 million, compared to a loss of %MARKETNEWS:20%.3 million during the same period last year.

Loblaw Unveils Joe Fresh

As it continues to battle Wal-Mart, Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is hoping to grab the attention of budget-conscious shoppers with its new Joe Fresh Style private-label clothing collection.

E.D. Smith to Buy Seaforth Creamery

E.D. Smith Income Fund, maker of jams, jellies, marinades and other food products—both branded and private label—has agreed to purchase Seaforth Creamery Inc., of Seaforth, Ont., for .2 million.

Profits Rise at Canada Bread

Net earnings for Canada Bread Company Limited climbed 28% to .4 million in its first quarter, from .1 million a year ago.

Maple Leaf Reports Higher Earnings

Canadian food processing giant Maple Leaf Foods Inc. posted earnings of .3 million during its first-quarter, up from .7 million during the same period last year.

2006 National Grocery Conference Gears Up

The 2006 National Grocery Conference—which gets underway in St. John's, Nfld,. May 27 to 29—will provide close to 1,000 food industry leaders with "outstanding" networking opportunities as well as full lineup of business sessions featuring top-rated speakers such as author Paco Underhill, Globe & Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson and Capital C founder and CEO Tony Chapman—say conference organizers.

Grocery Pioneer Steve Stavro Dies at 78

Steve Stavro, the founder of Knob Hill Farms grocery chain and one-time owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has died at age 78—reportedly of a heart attack.

Robert Wegman Dies at 87

Robert Wegman, chairman of family-owned Wegmans Food Markets Inc., has died at age 87.

C-store Owners Protest Ontario\'s Tough Tobacco Laws

Hundreds of Korean-Canadian convenience store owners rallied outside of the Ontario legislature last week to protest the government's tough anti-smoking policies, which they say are causing them severe economic hardship.

Organics Standards Needed to Legitimize Industry

A lack of national organics standards in Canada is leaving consumers skeptical, growers frustrated and may threaten valuable exports, says a report in the Financial Post .

Cott Looks to Energy Drinks to Boost Sales

With the fizz gone out of pop sales in North America, Cott Corp., the world's largest maker of store-brand soft drinks, says in 2006 it will focus on increasing its presence in non-carbonated beverages, including the fast-growing energy drink segment.

Metro\'s Earnings Up 27%, Propelled by A&P

Propelled by its acquisition of A&P Canada, Metro Inc. saw its second-quarter earnings jump 27.5% to M.

E.D. Smith to Buy Grocery Unit of Golden Valley Foods

Winona, Ont.-based E.D. Smith Income Fund says it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the grocery products division of Golden Valley Foods Ltd., for an undisclosed amount.

Couche-Tard Expands Again

Canadian convenience-store giant, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. says it has inked a deal—through its Circle K Stores Inc. subsidiary—to purchase 90 convenience outlets from Spectrum Holding Inc.

Sobeys Unloads Cash and Carry Outlets

Sobeys Inc. has announced it has sold off 11 of its cash and carry outlets in Ontario to The Skor Food Group Inc. for .5 million.

Saputo Enters Europe

Canadian dairy giant Saputo Inc. has agreed to purchase German cheesemaker Spezialitaten-Kaserei De Lucia GmbH for an undisclosed amount.

Grocers Hear the Call of the Mall?

Grocery retailers are considering returning to traditional shopping malls—according to a recent report in the Toronto Star.

No Mass Closures for HBC—Zucker

The Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) new owner, Jerry Zucker, has squashed rumours that plans were in the works to unload as many as 80 HBC outlets by unveiling a real estate strategy that includes revitalizing and improving the company's real estate portfolio.

Head of CMA Calls for Fat Tax

A tax on junk food should be imposed to battle Canada's growing obesity problem, urges Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, president of the Canadian Medical Association.

FPI Denies Any Wrongdoing in Export Dispute

Seafood processor Fishery Products International (FPI) Ltd. is denying claims made by Newfoundland's fisheries minister Tom Rideout that it is guilty of shipping unprocessed fish out of the province without permission.

Canada Bread Buys U.K. Bakery

Toronto-based Canada Bread Company Ltd. has expanded its U.K. operations with the purchase of Walsall, England-based Harvestime Ltd. bakery, for an undisclosed amount.

Sobeys\' Q3 Spurred by Strong Sales

Helped by robust sales and improved productivity, Sobeys Inc. said its third-quarter earnings climbed to .7 million, up from .8 million a year ago.

Old Dutch to Buy Humpty Dumpty

Old Dutch Foods Ltd. has agreed to purchase Kitchener, Ont.-based Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods Inc. for .7 million in cash.

L\'Oreal buys Body Shop

LONDON — Body Shop International PLC, the British retailer which promotes natural-based cosmetics, said Friday it has agreed to be taken over by L'Oreal of France in a .14 billion(U.S.) cash deal.

Loblaw Introduces Clothing Line

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. has announced plans to launch a low-priced, private-label apparel line, in a further effort to increase its competitiveness against Wal-Mart Canada.

Coutu Canadian Sales Rise; American Sales Drop

Jean Coutu Group Inc. has said that, while sales at its American stores are on the decline (same-store sales at its US network fell 0.1% in January), sales at its Canadian outlets are on the rise.

Loblaw Bears Down on Technology

Predicting future consumer demand, Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is leading the charge on putting point-of-sale data to effective use.

Frito Lay Works to Capture Ethnic Market

Frito Lay is introducing a new line of Asian-inspired potato chips and snacks in an attempt to capture Canada 's largest ethnic group.

Weston Profits Enjoy Healthy Spike

George Weston Ltd. has posted positive numbers in its fourth quarter, thanks mainly to its baking business.

Canadian Tire eyes Mortgages, GIC\'s

Canadian Tire Corp., the iconic retailer known for printing it's own "money", is considering offering mortgages, investment savings accounts and other financial products to it's customers.

Giant Tiger coming to GTA soon

Giant Tiger plans to open stores in Mississauga and Brampton this spring.

Humpty Dumpty Appoints CEO

Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods Inc. has appointed Darek Nowakowski president and chief executive officer.

Consumers Seek Balance in Food Intake

Canadian consumers are looking for balance among taste, nutrition and convenience while demanding easier meal-preparation solutions, according to the recent NPD Group report.

Giant Tiger Stores Come to Metro Toronto

Giant Tiger Stores Limited has announced plans to move into the Greater Toronto Area.

Capers Certified as First Organic Grocer

Capers Community Markets, a natural and organic foods retailer based in Vancouver, has become the first certified organic grocer in Western Canada.

Supervalu to Buy Albertson's

Albertson's Inc. has agreed to be purchased by an investor group led by Supervalu Inc., a deal that will divide the grocery chain among retailers and financial buyers.

CCC Shuts Down Seven Stores

Consumer Community Co-operative (CCC), Canada 's second-largest retail food co-operative, closed seven of its stores in Atlantic Canada in January in response to poor sales.

Metro Suffers Profit Hit; Still on Acquisition Trail

Following its acquisition of A&P Canada, Metro Inc. continues to look for potential properties—in spite of shrinking profits. Canada's third-largest supermarket chain posted a 17% loss in profits in its third quarter.

Empire to Establish REIT

Empire Co., which controls Sobeys Inc., has announced plans to set up a real estate investment trust that will focus on developments outside eastern Canada.

Hudson Bay sells to Zucker

The board of Hudson's Bay Co., Canada's oldest company, unanimously agreed Thursday to a sweetened .25-a-share offer from U.S. billionaire Jerry Zucker's investment firm. 

Safeway Turns Spotlight on Private Label

According to Supermarket News, Safeway has announced plans to focus on itself as a brand in the coming year, with an expanded marketing push in that direction.

Kraft Foods May be Spun off?

Industry speculation is in full throttle on the timing of Altria Group's predicted spin-off of the company.

Turnaround for Jean Coutu

The Jean Coutu Group Inc. has posted a profit of US.8 million in its second quarter.

Kraft to Sell Five Canadian Plants

Kraft Foods Inc. will sell five of its Canadian grocery assets to US-based buyout firms.

Canadian Beef Returns to Japan

Canadian beef was back in some Tokyo supermarkets on December 27, for the first time in two years.

Green, Specialty Tea Sales Enjoy Healthy Spike

Sales of green and specialty tea have surpassed the standard black variety, according to ACNielsen.

MasterCard Commits to Chip-Enabled Cards

Chip-enabled payment cards promise to be the wave of the future, if the 12 MasterCard card issuers and five payment processors make good on their recent promise to introduce these sophisticated improvements to our retail existence by 2010.

Wal-Mart Announces Superstores

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. has announced plans to open supercentres late next year, complete with an expanded grocery section.

Shoppers Poised for Success in New Drugstore Scene

The drugstore business is thriving, and Canada's largest player stands to benefit nicely from the trend.

Coolbrands Signs Disney

Coolbrands International Inc. has made a deal with Disney Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Walt Disney Co., in the hopes that the latter's popular characters will yank the frozen treat maker out of a slump.

Kellogg to use beans to reduce fat

Grand Rapids Mich. - Starting early next year, some products made by Kellogg Co. will contain oils derived from genetically modified soybeans to reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids and minimize saturated fats, the cereal maker said yesterday.

Pattison Makes a Splash in Niagara Falls

Jimmy Pattison, the owner of Overwaitea Food Group, is moving into hotel/resort development in Niagara Falls.

Jean Coutu Reassumes Company Control

In an unexpected shakeup in North America's fourth-largest drugstore chain, family patriarch Jean Coutu has reassumed the chief executive post of his eponymous company.

Coffee Supply on Track After Katrina

Procter & Gamble Co.'s Folgers coffee plant is running at full capacity, having recovered from Katrina's impact.

E.D. Smith's Profits Mount

The E.D. Smith Income Fund has a strategic U.S. acquisition and a new line of healthier products to thank for the boost its third-quarter profit.

A&P Enters Kids’ Clothing Game

A&P Canada has launched Simply Kids, a new private-label clothing and baby care products line.

Shoppers’ Earnings Soar

Store-network expansion, increased sales of cosmetics and food, reduced interest expenses and a lower income tax rate have helped increase Shoppers Drug Mart’s net earnings by 19% in the third quarter.

J&J to Buy Rembrandt

Johnson & Johnson has announced its plans to buy the Rembrandt brand of oral care products from Procter & Gamble’s Gillette Co.

Wal-Mart Confirms Impact of EPC/RFID

Wal-Mart has confirmed that electronic product code (EPC)/radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has had a significant impact in reducing out-of-stocks.

Canadian RFID Centre Opens Doors

The new RFID Centre has opened its doors in Markham, Ont., offering Canadian companies the opportunity to experience business processes in the perishables, consumer packaged goods and retail industries that are based on the wireless system known as Radio Frequency Identification.

Sobeys Doesn't Blink

Its loss to Metro Inc. of A&P Canada notwithstanding, Sobeys Inc. is in good shape.

Cott Takes Steps to Improve Results

Cott Takes Steps to Improve Results In an effort to compete against soft drink behemoths Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Cott Corp. has announced plans to rationalize its product lines and to shake up its management.

Canadian RFID Centre Opens Its Doors

More than 75 grocery and related industry executives attended the official opening of the new RFID Centre in Markham, Ont., on Sept. 21. Located within IBM's Solutions Delivery plant, the .7-million "lab" will enable the Canadian industry to better understand, experience, experiment with and test the latest RFID technologies and demonstrate the potential business case for tracking products.

Loblaw Drops E-Grocery Arm

After a five-year run, Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is closing down its Internet grocery business. Rising oil prices and price-conscious consumers were blamed for the decision.

Sobeys Reports 4.1% Same-Store Sales Gain

Sobeys Inc. reported a slight hike in its profits in the first quarter thanks to a combination of new outlets, higher sales, effective merchandising strategies and investment in its stores.

Scott Paper Gives Paper Towel New Name

ScotTowels is changing its name to SpongeTowels.

Solution Providers Join Forces to Highlight RFID

Major solution providers offering Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products or services in Canada have joined a Strategic Advisory Council (SAC).

Van Houtte Expands into Mac\'s Chain

Van Houtte Inc. is moving to grab a bigger chunk of the North American convenience-store market. Most notably, the gourmet coffee company has inked a deal to install self-service bars in 500 Mac's stores in Ontario.

Longo's Launches Healthy-Breakfast Campaign

In response to concerns about the impact of poor nutrition on childhood obesity, Longo's of Greater Toronto Area is launching a curriculum-based campaign to encourage families to eat healthier, better-balanced breakfasts.

Albertsons Considers Sale

Albertsons, the second-largest grocery chain in the United States, is exploring the possibility of selling underperforming, non-core assets.

Couche-Tarde Regroups After Katrina

Some 200 of Alimentation Couche-Tarde Inc.'s employees are still unaccounted for, following Hurricane Katrina.

What's Happening

October 24-25: Grocery Innovations Canada, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto.

Golden Pencil Winners Announced

The Food Industry Association of Canada has announced that Bill McEwan, president and CEO of Sobeys Inc., and Tim Penner, president of Procter & Gamble Inc., are this year's winners of the Golden Pencil award.

Metro Inc. retains A&P Canada name

Metro Inc.'s acquisition of A&P Canada will translate into "significant new growth opportunities for several national, regional and corporate brand vendors," according to a letter the company recently distributed to its suppliers.

Kraft Foods Sweetens Quarterly Dividend Again

Well into a three-year restructuring effort begun in early 2004 to cut costs and boost investment in its brands, Kraft Foods Inc. recently sweetened its quarterly common dividend, for the fourth year in a row.

Softwood Lumber Dispute Might Squeeze US OJ

Fallout from the long-running softwood-lumber dispute between Canada and its trading partner to the south may reach grocers' shelves.

Jean Coutu to Close Some Eckerd Stores

The Jean Coutu Group has announced plans to close 78 of its Eckerd outlets in the States.

LCBO Pushes Wine in Tetra Pak

For the first time in Ontario, a premium French wine is being offered in a juice pack.

Maple Leaf Foods Files Notice of Intention

Maple Leaf Foods Files Notice of Intention Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has announced that it has filed a Notice of Intention to make a normal course issuer bid with The Toronto Stock Exchange and that the TSX has accepted the Notice of Intention.

Canadian Beef Bounces Back

Twenty-six months after news of the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in an Alberta cow hit the airwaves, Canadian consumption of beef has actually increased.

Lassonde Industries Announces Q2 Results

For the quarter ending July 2, 2005, Lassonde Industries Inc.'s net sales totaled million, up 32% over net sales of .4 million recorded for the second quarter of 2004.

Shoppers Denies Walgreen-Takeover Speculation

Despite company claims to the contrary, Shoppers Drug Mart may be entertaining the possibility of being taken over by Walgreen Co., the largest drug-store chain in the States.

Alain Brisebois Heads A&P Canada

Alain Brisebois, Metro Inc. senior vice-president and 18-year veteran of the company, has moved to Toronto to take the helm at A&P Canada.

Atkins Nutritionals Files for Bankruptcy

In the face of waning enthusiasm for the Atkins diet, Atkins Nutritionals has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kraft Sets Up to Sell Two Units

In what investment banking sources are predicting to result in a US0-million bidding war, Kraft Foods Inc. is considering selling two of its principal domestic units.

P&G Profits, Costs Rise

Strong sales of such profitable products as Olay face lotions and Crest toothpaste, along with growing business in developing markets, have nudged Procter & Gamble Co.’s fourth-quarter profits up by 9%.

Zellers Tests Grocery Concept

Zellers is unveiling a new face in an effort to be more things to more shoppers. Among its new features is a grocery section, called Neighbourhood Markets.

Loblaw Launches Wireless Service

After much speculation about Loblaw Cos. Ltd.'s next extension of its branded concept, the company has moved into the wireless business.

7-Eleven Revamping its Image

7 Eleven might not be the first place consumers would think of when considering their dinner options, but the convenience store retailer would like to change that.

Loblaw Second-Quarter Profits Rise 7.1%

Loblaw Cos. Ltd.'s second-quarter profit, for the three-month period ending June 18, was 1 million, or 76 cents a share compared with 7 million or 71 cents a share in the year-earlier period.

Wal-Mart Gets BC Rejection—Twice

Just days after Vancouver City Council famously turned down an application for a new Wal-Mart, Campbell River has rejected another proposal from the world's biggest retailer.

Canadian Cattle Ban Lifted

Canadian cattle have started moving across the border into the United States again.

Gillette, P&G to Merge

It was a close shave for a bit, but shareholders of Gillette Co. have overwhelmingly approved the company's US-billion acquisition by Procter & Gamble.

Ontario Health Minister Declares War on Obesity

Just as smoking was public-health enemy number-one for the 20 th century, it seems obesity will replace it in the 21 st century.

Soft Drink Manufacturers Get Warned

A U.S. consumer group has called for soft drink manufacturers to introduce cigarette-style warnings on their packaging to alert consumers to the health risks associated with the sugar-laden beverages.

Couche-Tard Poised to Expand—Again

Convenience store behemoth Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has announced its readiness to grow once more by acquisition.

Alcan May Sell Plastic Bottle Business

Alcan Inc., the world's second-largest aluminum producer, is considering divesting itself of its food packaging plastic bottle business to concentrate on more lucrative food packaging products.

PepsiCo's Second Quarter Surges

PepsiCo's second-quarter profit was up 13%—outranking even the most optimistic analysts' estimates—thanks to surging demand in overseas markets.

Shoppers Profit Up 16%

The addition of new cosmetics and food sections are believed to be behind Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.'s increase in second-quarter profit.

New Address for United Grocers Inc.

New Address for United Grocers Inc.

Metro's A&P Purchase Biggest Canadian Grocery Acquisition in Years

Despite all indications that Sobeys would be the victor, Metro Inc. has purchased Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.

Unit Sales Lift Empire Profit

Unit Sales Lift Empire Profit Empire Co. Ltd., Sobeys' parent company, reported first-quarter profit of .8 million, up .2 million from a year ago.