It’s set to be a big year for Loblaw Companies Limited as the company announced that it will open 80 new stores nationwide, creating thousands of jobs.
In a Feb. 19 release, Loblaw said it’s investing $2.2 billion into the Canadian economy in 2025, which is expected to create around 8,000 jobs. This is part of a bigger plan to invest $10 billion by 2030.
The 80 stores set to open this year include No Frills, Maxi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, T&T and 50 discount stores. Loblaw plans to modernize its supply chain, which includes opening a 1.2 million sq. ft. facility in East Gwillimbury, Ontario.
The company will also update over 300 existing grocery stores and pharmacies. In addition, 100 pharmacy care clinics will be added to its Shoppers Drug Mart locations.
Loblaw announces expansion and renovation of hundreds of stores and people are livid https://t.co/GGQ1LFkfeZ
— blogTO (@blogTO) February 24, 2024
Currently, Loblaw owns over 2,400 stores across Canada and has 190,000 full- and part-time employees. According to the company, 90 per cent of Canadians live within 10 km of a Loblaw-owned store.
Per Bank, president and CEO at Loblaw Companies Limited said the investment will have “a positive impact across the country.”
“As a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business, we’ll also work to showcase Canadian-made value and quality across our entire network,” added Bank. “Whether it’s increasing orders for products made in Canada or further broadening our Small Supplier program, we’re committed to home-grown success.”
The company has had several impressive achievements recently.
Mediacorp Canada Inc. named it one of Canada’s top 100 employers for 2025, and Loblaw made Newsweek‘s list of Canada’s Most Responsible Companies 2025.
But Loblaw has also had its share of controversies.
Loblaws’ new No Name stores in Ontario are already getting bad reviewshttps://t.co/F5Ma3P5uuh
— blogTO (@blogTO) September 6, 2024
In May 2024, thousands of Canadians boycotted Loblaw stores to protest high food prices. Loblaw then finally said it was ready to sign Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct, which aims to create transparency and fair dealing.
That same month, after consulting community members, the Reddit group Loblaws Is Out of Control group officially announced it was “indefinitely” extending the boycott until a fundamental change is made in the grocery sector.
Commenting on Loblaw’s plan to expand in 2025, one Redditor stated, “How about you just reduce the markup on your groceries instead of wasting the money on new stores we’re going to continue to boycott because you’re not using the money to lower food costs?”
Another wrote, “Going to be harder to boycott. But let’s keep going. Lots of options out there.”
ACHPF/Shutterstock.com. With files from Imaan Shaikh and Isabelle Docto.
