Thrifty Foods has become the first grocery chain to highlight the “Buy BC” brand in its stores.
The branding is conspicuous at Thrifty locations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, reports BC Local News.
The province’s Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham announced the partnership at the Thrifty store in Belmont, B.C.
“I’m thrilled to have Thrifty Foods on board as our first retail partner promoting the Buy BC brand,” said Popham. “Having the familiar Buy BC logo on shelves and on products lets local consumers trust that the produce, fish, meat and packaged goods they choose have been grown, raised, harvested and made right here in B.C. by British Columbians in our agriculture and seafood sector.” (Grocery Business Magazine)
After 40 years of service, legendary independent grocer Cori Bonina has announced that she is stepping down as CEO of Vancouver’s popular Stong’s Market.
Known for her vision and creativity, Bonina, whose great grandfather founded the company 85 years ago, launched two new locations, Northwoods and Dunbar Street, in 2016 after the original Dunbar Street store’s lease expired. Bonina’s extraordinary merchandising skills were on display in every aspect of the new stores, with the award-winning Northwoods location quickly becoming a foodie destination. Curious customers were drawn deeper into the Stong’s Market experience not only by the quality of the food but by departments with charmingly descriptive names such as Knead, Land & Sea and Stems. (Grocery Business Magazine)
Empire Company Ltd. has announced six additional FreshCo store investments in B.C. as part of its discount format expansion into Western Canada.
The six future FreshCo store locations are all former Safeway stores that are being converted. The FreshCo stores are expected to open in Spring 2020, depending on the timing of construction schedules and permits.
The new stores are part of Empire’s plan for aggressive expansion of the FreshCo brand into Western Canada, announced in fiscal 2018. With the latest announcement, that expansion has seen 18 new FreshCo locations announced. (Grocery Business Magazine)
A release on the Sobeys Inc. website says the closure is set for Nov. 23, 2019, but also announced that Vernon will be home to one of six additional FreshCo Store investments in B.C. as part of the Discount format expansion into Western Canada, announced by Empire Company Ltd., whose key business is food retailing through wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc.
The redevelopment of the modest but cherished shopping centre will not likely be just for retail. The renewal may also have a residential component that will serve both market and public housing purposes.