The top 10 most-read stories of 2017
The grocery industry had its fair share or ups and downs this year, and we were there to cover it. Here are some of the Canadian Grocer web stories that piqued your interest over 2017.
Attack of the meal kits
Appearing in the September 2016 issue of Canadian Grocer, this article looks at the rising popularity of meal kits and suggests how grocers can get in on the action. Read the full story here.
All about Aldi. And Lidl
IGD program director Stewart Samuel looks at German grocery store chains Aldi and Lidl, what sets them apart from conventional grocery chains and the tactics they employ to lure in shoppers. Read the full story here.
Who's winning the grocery cart wars?
Appearing in the April/May 2016 issue of Canadian Grocer, this article looks at the state of the grocery industry following Target's abrupt departure from Canada and how the big three -- Metro, Sobeys and Loblaw -- were battling it out for customers and market share. Read the full story here.
Nations Fresh Foods opens “foodertainment” store in Toronto
Nations Fresh Foods opened its first Toronto location — and its fourth in Ontario — with an emphasis on food and entertainment. The 55,000 sq.-ft.-space includes a state-of-the-art arcade, party rooms and an indoor playground. Read the full story here.
Meet our 2017 Star Women in Grocery winners
For the past six years, Canadian Grocer has set out to recognize recognize the important role that women play in the grocery and consumer packaged goods industries in Canada. This year, a store manager in Alberta, the founder of a digital sampling solution and a fourth generation grocery store owner are among the winners. Read the full story here.
Sobeys to cut 800 office jobs in reorganization
The grocer announced it’s laying off 20% of its workforce from offices across the country as part of a three-year turnaround plan initiated by Michael Medline, president and CEO of Sobeys’ parent company, Empire. Read the full story here.
Which grocery retailers do Canadian shoppers trust most?
BrandSpark International asked 5,000 Canadian shoppers for their unaided, top-of-mind preferences in retail and service categories. Canadian Superstore, Walmart and Metro were among the retailers that made the list. Read the full story here.
Loblaw to charge largest suppliers a new handling fee
The food retailer sent a “strong-worded” letter to its largest suppliers to announce new handling fees. Spokesman Kevin Groh said this is the first fee hike in nearly a decade. The results were compiled for Leger's “Wow Customer Experience Index.” Read the full story here.
The secret to Costco’s success lies in supply chain efficiency
In May 2014, Marc Wulfraat, president of MWPVL International, wrote a column outlining all the ways in which Costco is winning in Canada, and looked at how the retailer keeps its operating costs so low and whether or not it's cheaper to shop there or with other grocers. Read the full story here.
Which Ontario grocery retailers off the best customer experience?
More than 20,000 survey respondents evaluated grocers from across the province against 16 criteria such as store layout, signage, staff courtesy, competency, efficiency at checkout, price, product quality and variety. Read the full story here.