Canada news

We review Couche-Tard’s fourth quarter performance and its outlook as it navigates the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key numbers Fourth quarter merchandise and service revenues fell 2.6% to $3.2bn Same-store merchandise revenues fell 6.5% in Europe and 0.5% in the US, while Canada saw a 4.7% increase Fourth quarter operating income increased 87.6% to $769.7m Full year ...

While celebrating Canada Day is usually marked by large-scale events and gatherings, we look at how retailers in Canada are adapting their approach this year given social-distancing requirements. Being relevant in the moment These four initiatives highlight how retailers have been able to pivot and ensure their campaigns are relevant for the type of activities that consumers will be partici...

Sobeys has launched its Voilà by Sobeys grocery ecommerce service in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Partnership with Ocado Sobeys has partnered with UK-based Ocado to launch this service. It has built a Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) adjacent to its existing automated distribution centre in Vaughan, Ontario, optimising Ocado’s solution. Robots are used to assemble orders, with Voilà asso...

We review Sobeys’ fourth quarter performance and the outlook for its new financial year, including the launch of its new ecommerce service and the shift in sales from supermarkets to discount stores. Key numbers Fourth quarter sales increased by 12.7% to $7.0bn, driven mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic Same-store sales increased 18.0% Adjusted net earnings increased 43.2% to $181.2m ...

Loblaw has launched a temporary pop-up digital store in partnership with leading toys retailer, Mastermind Toys. Enhancing Loblaw’s third-party Marketplace The pop-up store will operate through June and July, offering a range of products from the iconic toys retailer. The range will feature within the PC Express Marketplace, Loblaw’s site for third-party sellers. While the retailer already ...

Sobeys has extended its partnership with indoor vertical farming company, Infarm, to its Thrifty Foods banner in the Metro Vancouver market. We recently visited one of three stores in the initial roll-out.  Great alignment with Thrifty Foods’ proposition Sobeys launched its partnership with Infarm earlier this year, initially introducing a range of herbs at two Safeway stores in Vancouver. ...

Walmart is partnering with Shopify to open the Walmart Marketplace to its sellers. Leading platform enabling sellers to move online Shopify has emerged as one of the leading ecommerce companies enabling sellers to develop an online presence through providing them with a platform and relevant services. The Shopify platform powers over 1m business across 175 countries, including smaller, indi...

The leading US-based on-demand, crowd-sourced grocery delivery company, Instacart, has raised $225m as part of a new financing round. This investment increased the valuation of the company to $13.7bn. Online grocery delivery accelerated by COVID-19 This latest round was led by DST Global and General Catalyst, with existing investor D1 Capital Partners participating. It comes as the company ...

We look at Sobeys’ on-going expansion of its FreshCo discount chain into western Canada, including plans for its first stores in Alberta. Addressing a weakness in its operations Sobeys’ latest announcement of six additional FreshCo openings takes the total of confirmed locations in western Canada to 28. Currently, 16 of these are trading. The retailer plans to convert around 65 of its exist...

We review Costco’s May performance as trading evolves into a more normalised pattern and retailers start to adjust their strategies to win the one big shop. Asia recovery underpinning bounce-back Following a decline of 1.8% in April, including a fall of 0.5% in comparable club sales, the retailer’s performance bounced back in May. Net sales increased 7.5% to $12.6bn. Comparable club sales, ...