Market News

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. Three of the megastores, which combine a traditional Wal-Mart with an enhanced discount grocery store, [had] their grand opening in Ontario [Nov. 8]. Fresh food is a lightning rod in Canada's grocery war. Early customers will likely be most intrigued by the retailer's selection of groceries, and Wal-Mart will take full advantage of their curiosity, [with] a number of limited time promotions on popular items. Other packaged goods are priced at or below the regular prices of discount grocery chains such as No Frills or Price Chopper. But unlike those stores, the Supercentre has a fairly broad lineup of organic and natural foods, higher-end products, and three fresh food departments with staffed counters: ready-to-go meals, a deli and a bakery. Source: National Post, Lana Holmes & Associates Ltd. with Tim Carter & Associates Inc. - 11/07/06