Same-store Canadian sales are up 8 per cent – higher than in any other country in which Costco operates. And the future looks even brighter
Unless you’re there on a Saturday, constantly trying to avoid collisions with oversized shopping carts, you probably like Costco, even though it will cost you more to shop there as of June. The basic membership fee is going up by $5 to $60, while premium folks will have to pay $120, up from $110. Paying to spend is…
Technology will ultimately take the guesswork out of shopping at the grocery story and making menu choices, but for now, be vigilant
Food fraud isn't new – it's persisted for more than 2,000 years, despite mankind's best efforts. Perhaps technology can put an end to it. The first reported food fraud cases go back to the Roman Empire, when suspicions around adulterated wines and oils were prevalent. Food fraud can take many forms, such as adulteration – substituting…
From higher commodity prices to lower business taxes to changes in available labour, Trump's policies could dramatically alter agriculture
Donald Trump has been a topic of conversation at dinner tables for some time. Now, the American president-elect is poised to push up the cost of the food on those same tables. Policy proposals on immigration, trade and security dominated the U.S. presidential campaign. Not much was said about agriculture or food policies. But a…
Consumers win when food prices fall, but all down the supply chain there are losers, including retailers, processors and farmers
Making money in the food business isn't nearly as simple as it once was. It's becoming cheaper to buy food in Canada – prices fell in August for the first time in years in every province except Alberta. And the Statistics Canada data may indicate the start of significant ongoing food deflation. But while consumers may be delighted…
Consumers are benefiting and traditional retailers scrambling as Walmart and Costco drive down prices and increase their market share
The evolution of Canada's food retailing industry is being hastened by a pair of American giants. Consumers are the big winners. Reports on the latest Canada consumer price index drew a great deal of attention to falling meat prices. To the delight of barbecue fans, beef, pork and chicken prices have dropped for the first time in…
By demanding lower prices, Loblaws is protecting its bottom line but will Canadian consumers really benefit – or even notice?
Loblaw Companies Ltd. recently sent a letter to major suppliers advising them that it will pay 1.45 per cent less for any shipments received on or after Sept. 4. The tactic signals a major shift in the food retail industry. In food distribution, a decrease of 1.45 per cent is a big deal. Loblaws, as…
Wages are on the rise, and the food and hospitality industry is flourishing
Canada's food inflation rate remains at four per cent, yet there are encouraging signs for the consumer. Statistics Canada's recent consumer price index numbers, for example, show that the gap between the general inflation rate and food inflation is shrinking – the general inflation rate now stands at two per cent, its highest point in nearly two…
Food inflation is hammering Canadian consumers, but there are ways to reduce the price pressure
Food inflation is top of mind for Canadian consumers, with rampant claims about produce being grossly overpriced. And the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report won’t calm Canadian shoppers any time soon, since food inflation stands at 4.1 per cent. That's a significant contrast to the -0.4 per cent in food inflation reported in the United States…
Everyone wins from Loblaw’s campaign to reposition “imperfect” produce in its stores
We waste a lot of food; tons of it, in fact. Indeed, some studies suggest that the overall cost of food waste in our country exceeds $100 billion annually. In response, Loblaw has decided to take action. The company now sells bags of “Naturally Imperfect” apples and potatoes in select grocery stores across Ontario and…
Unless you’re there on a Saturday, constantly trying to avoid collisions with oversized shopping carts, you probably like Costco, even though it will cost you more to shop there as of June. The basic membership fee is going up by $5 to $60, while premium folks will have to pay $120, up from $110. Paying to spend is…
