The Buzz The latest news in the grocery biz

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

WOW FACTOR!

Fortinos and Avril Supermarché top the rankings for best in-store and online experiences in Ontario and Quebec, respectively, according to Leger’s recently released 2022 WOW and WOW Digital studies. The market research firm surveyed more than 12,000 Ontarians and 12,000 Quebecers to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of 203 retailers across 20 sectors. For Ontario supermarkets, Fortinos led the pack followed by Longo’s, Farm Boy, Whole Foods Market and Adonis. In Quebec, Avril Supermarché came out on top followed by Costco, Metro/Metro Plus, Rachelle Béry, and IGA/IGA Extra.

Openings

T&T SUPERMARKET made its much-anticipated debut in the Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent in December. The opening marks the Loblaw-owned Asian grocery chain’s first venture into the Quebec market. At 70,000-sq.-ft., and representing a $10-million investment, the store is the largest in T&T’s network of 31 stores. T&T also operates in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. At the store’s opening, CEO Tina Lee told Canadian Grocer: “We knew that we had to come in really strong.” Lee said the store boasts more than 20,000 products and serves up features like an Asian fruit gift section, a large selection of imported alcoholic and non-alcoholic Asian beers (the Saint-Laurent location is the first T&T to sell alcohol), large varieties of seafood, hot food bar and more. “It’s an incredible assortment. If you’re a food lover, this is a really appealing place,” said Lee.

Vancouver is home to a brand-new URBAN FARE . The upmarket grocery banner, owned by Pattison Food Group, has set up shop in the newly developed Lelǝm Village at the University of British Columbia. The 12,700-sq.-ft. space, which opened for business in early February, is adjacent to the new Wildlight Kitchen + Bar, also owned by Pattison Food Group. Urban Fare stores can be found in Vancouver, Kelowna and Calgary.

In Toronto, RABBA FINE FOODS marked the opening of its 36th marketplace in January. Located in the city’s financial district (at Richmond and Victoria streets), the store offers the chain’s typical grocery assortment, but also features Rabba Kitchen by Paramount. The in-store kitchen offers a variety of hot and fresh meals, including specialties like shawarma and falafel. The downtown location is the fourth Rabba to offer a full meal takeout service under the Rabba Kitchen by Paramount name.

FARM BOY continues to up its store count with the addition of two new locations in the Greater Toronto Area. The Empire-owned grocery chain opened for business in Aurora, Ont. in mid-January at Wellington Street East. The grocery chain also set up shop at Toronto’s Sugar Wharf, occupying a 29,600-sq.-ft. space on the second level of 100 Queen’s Quay. One of the country’s most rapidly growing grocery chains, Farm Boy now has a network of 47 stores in Ontario.