Canada news

We review Couche-Tard’s results for the half ending 10 October 2021. Key H1 numbers YoY Total revenue up 36.5% to US$27.8bn Merchandise and service revenues up 5.6% to US$8bn Road transportation fuel revenues up 54.8% to US$19.4bn Same-store merchandise revenues up 5.9% in Europe and other regions (including Hong Kong), 0.6% in the U.S and -6.1% in Canada Same-store fuel...

Canada’s Metro Inc. delivered a solid performance for fiscal 2021. As lockdowns and restrictions continue to ease it is seeing a switch to pre-pandemic trends. However, one are that is seeing stickiness is ecommerce. We look at some of the initiatives it has underway in the channel. Metro fourth quarter and full year key numbers Q4 sales fell 1.2% to $4.1bn Food same-store sales fell ...

As trading patterns readjust to the easing of lockdown restrictions in Canada, we look at what this means for Loblaw’s range of formats. Loblaw’s Q3 key numbers Total revenue increased 2.4% to $16.1m, with retail segment sales up 2.4% to $15.8m Food retail same-stores sales increased by 0.2% Drug retail (Shoppers Drug Mart) same-store sales increased by 4.4%, with pharmacy same-sto...

After a strong performance in the third quarter, the retailer has raised its outlook for sales and profit growth for the full year. With momentum heading into the key trading period, what can we expect to see from Walmart? Walmart's Q3 key numbers Walmart's total revenue in Q3 increased by 4.3% to $140.5bn, representing an additional $8.8bn in sales Sales in its US stores increased by...

We take a look at Sobeys’ new modular supermarket format, which has flexibility built into its DNA. Format weaknesses exposed by pandemic The store in Orangeville, Ontario has been developed in partnership with Interstore | Schweitzer, based on its Flexstore concept. The remodelled store saw every department relocated to a new location. However, due to the flexibility offered by the concept...

We review Costco’s fourth quarter and full year results and the challenges it is seeing with higher costs, shipping capacity and labour shortages. Fourth quarter and full year key numbers Q4 total revenue up 14.8% to $62.7bn, with full year revenue up 17.5% to $196.0bn Comparable sales for the quarter (ex-fuel and currency impacts) up 9.4%, including up 10.3% in the US, 6.7% in Canada...

We review Sobeys’ first quarter performance as it lapped the surge in demand from last year, and the outlook for the coming months as it pushes ahead with its growth programme, Project Horizon. First quarter key numbers Total sales up 3.7% to $7.6bn, supported by the acquisition of Longo’s Same-store sales (ex-fuel) decreased by 2.2%; on a two-year stacked basis, same-store sales were up...

In our 2021 sustainability trends report, which subscribers can access here , we highlighted four trends shaping the way retailers are approaching the topic. The trends include reducing plastic packaging, partnering to win, supporting communities and sustainable stores. Given the recent focus on reducing plastic packaging from many companies globally, in our packaging free the global opportu...

As part of its partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands, Walmart has opened its first ghost kitchen at its store in Rochester, New York. Bringing new brands to the market Through this partnership, shoppers at the store will be able to make a one-stop meal pickup, or order for delivery, from up to 25 well-known foodservice brands. These include several brands which are new to Ghost Kitchens’ ro...

We review Couche-Tard’s results for the quarter ending 18 July 2021. Key numbers: total revenue up 39.8% to US$13.6bn Q1 merchandise and service revenues up 5.4% to US$4.1bn Same-store merchandise revenues up 5.9% in Europe and other regions (including Hong Kong), -0.2% in the U.S and -9.6% in Canada Q1 road transportation fuel revenues up 51.7% in Europe, 65.5% in the U.S and 68.1...