How executives pick and showcase local vendors l The Big Question
Welcome to The Big Question, where we ask top executives from across the country for their take on some of the industry's hot topics.
This time we asked: What is your approach to picking and showcasing local vendors?Here's what they had to say:
Brian Bradley, president, Stong’s Market
“At Stong’s, we look for local suppliers that offer high-quality products, have unique stories and have a strong connection to our communities. We value relationships with local producers who share our commitment to quality and freshness. Once selected, we look for ways to give these products prominent placement and tell their story through custom shelf mouldings, signage, displays, social media posts and in-store sampling. Our goal is not simply to put a local product on the shelf, but to help customers discover the people and passion behind it.”
READ: Stong’s Market president Brian Bradley to speak at GroceryConnex
Evan Hall, Head merchant, Goodness Me!
“We look for local producers and brands that are important to the communities we serve and bring something distinctive to our stores. That might mean an innovative product, a unique offering or a category where there isn’t currently a Canadian source. We also believe in scaling at a rate that works for the brand, which may mean starting with one store, learning together and building from there. We call out these local differentiators in our in-store merchandising and producer profiles highlighted in our weekly flyer and online store, helping customers discover the people and stories behind these local gems.”
Nena Pidskalny, Associate vice-president, food, Federated Co-operatives Limited
“FCL’s strategy is to support local suppliers that deliver high-quality, differentiated products while contributing to the economic strength of the communities we serve. We look for partnerships that create value for both the supplier and the Co-operative Retailing System, helping local businesses grow while providing products that resonate with Western Canadian shoppers. These products are promoted through our Proudly Western Canadian program, in-store signage, packaging claims and flyer features that make local products easy to identify
and support.”
READ: How Federated Co-op is rebuilding its grocery business
Joe D’Addario, Non-executive chairman, Nature’s Emporium
“For us, local has always been about relationships. We look for vendors who share our values around quality, integrity and great products. Over the years, Nature’s Emporium has also been an incubator for many small, emerging brands, giving them an opportunity to get on the shelf, connect with customers and build their business. We’re proud that many have gone on to achieve tremendous success. When our local partners grow and succeed, we feel like we’ve succeeded alongside them.”
Digs Dorfman, CEO, The Sweet Potato
“Showcasing local vendors is a core part of our identity, but we’re selective about who we partner with. We spend a fair bit of time debating, as a team, what ends up on our shelves. That usually starts with the following questions: Does the product meet our ingredient standards? Does it taste good? Is it a good value? Strong ratings in these areas help, but we might also ask: Does the producer share our values or have a background story we feel positive about promoting? Is the product innovative? If the answer is no to some of these, we might discuss it further with the vendor.”
This article was first published in Canadian Grocer’s September/October 2026 issue.
