Yes there are other big oligopoly chains like metro, Sobeys/Safeway, Pattison, but I think it’s best to start with one major chain to see how much coordinated action can affect them.
In my part of QC, the only “Loblaws” around me is a Maxi, it’s pretty cheap certainly one of the most affordable groceries here. But I can go to a nearby SuperC just to boycott Galen.
None of the grocery stores or drug stores in my town are associated with Loblaws and the one grocery store on my way home from work is Costco, so I already don’t shop at Loblaws 99%+ of the time.
However if I’m out and about I’m not going out of my way to avoid it.
The only one I visit at all is Shoppers Drug Mart, and that one’s not going to be an issue to cut out. Kinda tweaked that my local post office is operating out of it, though, and directly funneling public dollars into Galen Weston’s pockets.
I go to food basics and it’s worse. I constantly find expired food in the fridges and shelves, items 2-3 weeks past. I went to buy fresh English muffins and found them frozen, when I asked they told me they freeze them and then thaw them out and shelf then when they’re low, so they’re charging me fresh food prices for frozen bread. They also never clean their produce shelves. There are stains on the shelves I’ve been looking at for 2 years.
Absolutely I’m not saying any chain is particularly good (my local save on foods has unionized workers, good bread but stupid prices for things other than grocery staples). Consumers need to force the oligopoly to compete with each other. A co-ordinated monthly rotating boycott would be an excellent way to do that.
Every worker in Canada should have a union and it’s a disgrace to this country that they don’t.
I’m a union worker so I refuse to use the self checkouts. When an employee points me to one I shake my head and refuse. I want to be checked out by a human who is treated well and is paid a fair wage, not by a machine that’s just there so a corporation can cut out a worker.
The only alternatives in my town are Walmart (the human rights violation company) or Sobeys (the wallet rapists). Maybe I can eat Shin-cup noodles for a month.
Started switching away from all of their stores last month in anticipation. I try to get everything I can from Costco, and use FreshCo for everything else.
My mom bought a 50% off rotisserie chicken from Zehrs yesterday that looked shrivelled and disgusting…7 dollars after the half off 😳. Managed to convince her to join the boycott at least!
My mental health can’t even take walking into the store that considered us all thieves. I get so pissed off and irrationally angry seeing a Loblaws store let alone walking in…I’ll never go back even if they ‘fix the prices’ (sadly this pun isn’t intended…)
Loblaws has stolen plenty from Canadian farmers, suppliers, store owners, grocery workers and consumers over the years. It’s time to treat the Weston family as the thieves they are.
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In my part of QC, the only “Loblaws” around me is a Maxi, it’s pretty cheap certainly one of the most affordable groceries here. But I can go to a nearby SuperC just to boycott Galen.
Every bit helps. Even a 3% drop at the Q2 report in a few months will be noteworthy for shareholders.
Not living in Canada anymore, but when I visit in June they won’t get a cent from me.
100%, but I’m in USA, so not really the target audience.
In it 100%
They’re greedy AF
None of the grocery stores or drug stores in my town are associated with Loblaws and the one grocery store on my way home from work is Costco, so I already don’t shop at Loblaws 99%+ of the time.
However if I’m out and about I’m not going out of my way to avoid it.
The only one I visit at all is Shoppers Drug Mart, and that one’s not going to be an issue to cut out. Kinda tweaked that my local post office is operating out of it, though, and directly funneling public dollars into Galen Weston’s pockets.
I already stopped using them so I don’t matter to the boycott
Yeah I’m in it for a month now. I shop at my local green grocers, Food Basics and Freshco now. And I live damn close to nofrills. Bastards
Every middle finger (real or imaginary) you give the Westons as you pass by NoFrills helps.
I am. There are alternatives and I can easily avoid them. Others may not be in the same position.
Aren’t all the chains and other corporations doing the same price fixing? Or did Loblaws do something extra shady?
They are all the same. But that Weston guy is extra unlikeable and visible.
This decade and a half long bread price fixing scheme was something that set Loblaws apart
Profits were up 9.8% over last year, and dividends to shareholders just announced to increase 15%.
Earlier this year they were going to lower the “near-spoiled” discount from 50% to 30% but cancelled that after backlash. So none of the increase in sales/profits seem to be going to anyone other than shareholders and the Weston family.
Also Galen Weston has been going on a PR tour past couple of years to say “nothing to see here” “we totally aren’t gouging you on the necessities”.
I go to food basics and it’s worse. I constantly find expired food in the fridges and shelves, items 2-3 weeks past. I went to buy fresh English muffins and found them frozen, when I asked they told me they freeze them and then thaw them out and shelf then when they’re low, so they’re charging me fresh food prices for frozen bread. They also never clean their produce shelves. There are stains on the shelves I’ve been looking at for 2 years.
Absolutely I’m not saying any chain is particularly good (my local save on foods has unionized workers, good bread but stupid prices for things other than grocery staples). Consumers need to force the oligopoly to compete with each other. A co-ordinated monthly rotating boycott would be an excellent way to do that.
Every worker in Canada should have a union and it’s a disgrace to this country that they don’t.
I’m a union worker so I refuse to use the self checkouts. When an employee points me to one I shake my head and refuse. I want to be checked out by a human who is treated well and is paid a fair wage, not by a machine that’s just there so a corporation can cut out a worker.
100% on board. First stop is to local grocers, then Costco, and if those fail, then I’ll resort to Sobeys.
The only alternatives in my town are Walmart (the human rights violation company) or Sobeys (the wallet rapists). Maybe I can eat Shin-cup noodles for a month.
I already don’t shop at any of those, and will continue not to.
Started switching away from all of their stores last month in anticipation. I try to get everything I can from Costco, and use FreshCo for everything else.
Boycotts work if you isolate one company or one brand … then they would either be forced to change … or go out of business.
Once one company or brand is severely affected or goes under, then everyone moves on to a new target.
Saying farewell to Zehrs will be easy but I could never give up my beloved Costco!
Costco are known for treating their staff unusually well compared to other retailers, so I think that’s fine.
worked at costco for a year. It was great. full of old timers, and lots of respect for the staff.
100%. They’re the only ones making a decent rotisserie chicken these days, and it’s only $8!?
I’d wager it is, or was, a loss leader. Its position at the very end of the store has to be strategic to make you look at everything else on the way.
My mom bought a 50% off rotisserie chicken from Zehrs yesterday that looked shrivelled and disgusting…7 dollars after the half off 😳. Managed to convince her to join the boycott at least!
My mental health can’t even take walking into the store that considered us all thieves. I get so pissed off and irrationally angry seeing a Loblaws store let alone walking in…I’ll never go back even if they ‘fix the prices’ (sadly this pun isn’t intended…)
The unpleasant experience is one of the main reasons I haven’t shopped there in many years.
I see what you did there
Loblaws has stolen plenty from Canadian farmers, suppliers, store owners, grocery workers and consumers over the years. It’s time to treat the Weston family as the thieves they are.