Urban formats in Farm Boy’s future

Farm Boy, a regional grocery chain in the Ottawa and Cornwall areas, is looking at introducing smaller stores to the downtown core.

Farm Boy’s CEO Jeff York said in an article in the Ottawa Business Journal that it would combat rising food prices by opening more stores so it can purchase products at lower prices.

The retailer with 11 stores, and 1,500 employees has carved out a niche in the fresh market. It plans to open another store this summer in Orleans.

It avoids selling the same brands found in national grocers and focuses on local products, fresh foods, and being what York calls in the article, a complementary retailer instead of a one-stop destination.