These Canadian retailers and brands are tapping into the ‘Buy Canadian’ trend
Not even a month-long reprieve from the United State's threat to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods can temper consumers’ new patriotic pursuit: to buy Canadian, and only Canadian.
The anti-American sentiment sweeping the country has prompted food retailers to showcase their locally made selections. Meanwhile, Canadian brands like Black Diamond Cheestrings and Kicking Horse Coffee are reminding consumers of their Northern roots.
Below, we round up a few of the businesses promoting the “Buy Canadian” movement.
Be sure to check back in as we’ll be updating this list continually. Contact digital editor Jillian Morgan <jmorgan@ensembleiq.com> with pitches.
Sobeys Inc.
In a statement to Canadian Grocer, Michael Medline, president and CEO of Empire Co. Ltd. and Sobeys Inc., said local products will have even greater prominence on the grocer's store shelves.
“Our merchandising and sourcing teams have stepped up efforts on Canadian-grown and produced products, building on our strong local sourcing programs and commitment to local producers that has been a cornerstone of our business for years," Medline said.
“Through every communication channel we have at our disposal, Canadian products will have even greater prominence on our shelves, in flyers, in online communications, and through our advertising. And when customers step into one of our stores—from Sobeys to IGA, Safeway to Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy to Longo’s, Foodland and FreshCo—they’ll be able to find a local or Canadian option for just about everything on their list.”
The grocer also shared a timely update to its "So.be.it." brand platform on Instagram, highlighting the company's "So Canadian" roots.
Loblaw Cos. Ltd.
Loblaw is rolling out updates to the PC Optimum app that aim to make it easy for consumers to find Canadian products.
Lauren Steinberg, Loblaw's senior vice president of retail media, loyalty and digital, shared the news to LinkedIn Friday (Feb. 7).
When users create a shopping list in the app, they'll find a new "swap" feature that, when selected, suggests Canadian-made alternatives.
Additionally, across the company's banner sites and the PC Express app, Loblaw is introducing improved filters to surface prepared in Canada products, badges to help users identify local goods and improved search and keyword matching, Steinberg said.
Unboxed Market
Shoppers will be able to quickly spot Canadian products at the Toronto-based zero-waste grocery store thanks to its new maple leaf stickers.
Unboxed Market said it’s also working to make it easier to shop local products on its website and plans to post about Canadian products on its social media accounts.
“We know how daunting it can be to sort through the sometimes dizzying options, and we’re happy to help make that easier whenever we can. This is an ongoing project (there are so many products!), so please bear with us while signs are updated,” the company said.
Healthy Planet
Canadians can easily support homegrown brands at Healthy Planet and beyond thanks to the retailer’s new campaign: #HealthyCanadianSwap.
The platform aims to showcase Canadian-made and owned brands in any health and organic grocery store chain.
At Healthy Planet, consumers can shop Canadian products in-store and online using red maple leaf tags or online using the “Canadian” filter.
“With economic uncertainties ahead, now is the time to invest in homegrown businesses that create jobs, foster innovation and reflect Canadian values,” said Muhammad Mohamedy, general manager of Healthy Planet, in a release.
Kicking Horse Coffee
The Kicking Horse Coffee Café in Invermere, B.C. has always called the Americano a Canadiano, but now the brand is rallying the rest of Canada to do the same.
Participating cafés can receive a “Proudly serving Canadianos" window display from Kicking Horse Coffee as a symbol of their participation in the movement. Toronto's Le Petit Pain and Café Belem are among the first to join in.
“The Canadian Rockies aren’t just where Kicking Horse Coffee was born—their spirit is brewed into every cup,” said Lori Hatcher-Hillier, chief marketing officer of Kicking Horse Coffee, in a statement. “Now, more than ever we need to stick together and wear our Canadian pride on our (coffee) sleeves.”
Vince’s Market
With U.S. tariffs looming, many Canadians are seeking home-grown products—and one independent grocer is answering the call. Vince’s Market, which has four locations in Ontario, is rolling out ‘Product of Canada’ shelf labels at its stores to make it easier for customers to spot Canadian products.
And the customer response has been overwhelmingly positive. Vince’s Market president Giancarlo Trimarchi has interacted with customers who say they’re glad the grocer is doing this. On Facebook, a post about the Product of Canada labels has more than 1,000 likes—far more than the likes and comments Vince’s Market usually gets on a single post. “It’s definitely resonating with customers—it’s something important that they’re wanting us to help with,” he told Canadian Grocer in a recent interview.
With files from Rebecca Harris
Lactalis Canada
The maker of the Black Diamond Cheestrings brand is unrolling a new campaign that takes pride in the snack’s Canadian roots: “Cheestrings: Made with 0% American Cheese.”
Cheestrings are sourced, manufactured, packaged and sold completely and only in Canada. The snack is made in Victoriaville, Que., with 100% Canadian milk and milk ingredients.
Billboards for the campaign will run in the Greater Toronto Area beginning Thursday (Feb. 6).
"There's never been a more critical time to help Canadian consumers identify Canadian products and brands," said Sabrina Zollo, vice president, marketing, cheese and table spreads at Lactalis Cananda, in a release. "Cheestrings is as Canadian as it gets so we thought it was important to highlight this in the irreverent, cheeky way that Cheestrings always communicates."
The company has also released a Buy Canadian Grocery Guide.
Cedars & Co.
Ottawa-based specialty grocery store Cedars & Co. has been spotlighting local products with “made in Canada” labels.
The grocer is also sharing Canadian brands—like Cullen’s Foods, Neal Brothers, Nudefruit and more—to its Facebook page, educating consumers about locally made goods.
Despite the pause, Cedars & Co. shared to Facebook that it “will continue to source [Canadian]-made brands” to add to its selection.
