Canada news

Saladworks, a leading fast-casual salad brand, has partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands in a deal that will almost double its footprint across the US and Canada. The agreement will bring 60 non-traditional locations to the US and 30 to Canada by the end of 2021, many of which will be located inside Walmart stores. Saladworks capitalising on grocery store traffic Ghost Kitchen Brands has part...

Loblaw is making a series of leadership changes as its parent company, George Weston Limited, launches a process to sell Weston Foods, to focus its efforts on its retail and real estate businesses. Galen G Weston returns as president The key change at Loblaw sees the retirement of president, Sarah Davis. She will be succeeded by executive chairman, Galen G Weston, who will become chairman a...

We review Couche-Tard’s third quarter performance and growth strategies. Key numbers Total revenue down 20.8% to $13.2bn YoY Merchandise and service revenues up 5.6% to $4.5bn YoY Road transportation fuel revenues down 29.7% to $8.5bn YoY Other revenue down 40.9% to $148m Same-store merchandise sales up 4.7% in Canada, 2.9% in the US and 2.8% in Europe and other re...

As Sobeys’ parent organisation, the Empire Company Limited, signs an agreement to purchase 51% of Longo’s, a leading food retailer in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), we look at what this means for the wider business. Potential to acquire the entire business With 36 locations in the GTA and Southwestern Ontario, along with a long-standing online business, Grocery Gateway, Longo’s has long be...

With Q2 delivering a 5% increase in organic net sales and market share gains, we look at how the Campbell Soup Company (Campbells) plans to sustain its performance as the COVID-19 pandemic eases. 1. Building on earlier momentum in its snacks business Like many large CPGs, Campbells had a turnaround plan in progress ahead of the pandemic. This had helped to fuel growth within it snacks busin...

We review Sobeys’ third quarter performance, and the factors underlying its continued strong performance, including its focus on data and analytics and strategic investments into the discount, supermarket and ecommerce channels. Key numbers Q3: Total sales increased by 9.7% to $7.0bn Same-store sales increased 10.7% Ecommerce sales increased 315% Net earnings increased 46.3% to ...

As most markets in Europe and the Americas continue to operate in a pandemic environment, characterised by lockdowns and travel restrictions, we look at how five of the initial strategies adopted by suppliers have evolved over the last 12 months. 1. From retaining new households to building deeper connections The pandemic created a product trial event unlike any other. Many major suppliers ...

Walmart Canada is partnering with Ghost Kitchen Brands to open ghost kitchens in its stores. Five kitchens planned initially Ghost Kitchen Brands has partnered with over 20 restaurant brands to operate ghost kitchens across Canada. Its operating model and technology-led solution enables it to produce meals from all of its partners within a single kitchen. Through this partnership, it will o...

We review Costco’s second quarter results as it starts to lap last year's surge in demand driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. Key numbers Q2: Net sales increased 14.7% to $43.9bn Comparable store sales (ex-fuel and currency impacts) increased 12.9% across the company, and by 12.6% in the US, 10.6% in Canada and 17.7% in other international markets Ecommerce sales increased 74.8% Op...

As part of its five-year $3.5bn investment plan, Walmart Canada is set to open its first store featuring automated micro-fulfillment and automated pickup kiosk for grocery ecommerce. Investing in stores, supply chain and technology Walmart Canada outlined its investment plan last year, with a focus on its stores, supply chain and technology. Several of the new elements came to life at...