Sobeys

Sobeys is a retailer which was established in 1907 in Canada by John W. Sobey. The company is fully owned by the Canadian conglomerate company, Empire Company Limited. Moreover, the firm operates 1415 stores across the country which includes franchisees.

Sobeys's turnover rose by 5.77% as the achieved a turnover of € 22.5 billion in 2020 and employed 123000 people.

Also,the firm operates under the following banners:

• Sobeys: A chain of stores that offers food and drinks as well as personal care products. 
• FreshCo: FreshCo is a chain of stores offering food and drinks 
• Chalo Fresh: a chain of grocery stores specialising in South Asian food items
• Safeway: a grocery chain which was acquired in 20013
• IGA: A Grocery store chain which also has a branch specialised in catering
• IGA Extra: a chain of supermarkets
• Lawtons Drugs: a chain of 76 pharmacies that offer personal care products and various health care products
• Foodland: a group of 10 stores offering grocery products
• Price Chopper: a store chain offering low prices
• Thrifty Foods: a grocery chain that offers fresh products
• Foodland & Co-op: grocery stores where one can find a variety of food items.
• Needs Convenience: a chain of convenience stores
• Les Marches Tradition: a chain of grocery stores
• Rachelle-Bery: a chain of health stores

Many of these banners also manage their own online shop and smart phone application which facilitates shopping. 

The products categories include:

• Sweet Grocery: pastries, cookies, breads, etc.
• Savory Grocery: ketchups, pastas, condiments, etc.
• Frozen Food: ice cream, pizza, beef meatballs, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: meat,fish, delicatessens, fruits & vegetables, etc.
• Dairy: cheese, yoghurt, milk, etc
• Drinks: juice, beer, wine, etc.
• Personal Care: body lotions, foam bath, tampons, etc.
• Household: laundry detergents, toilet papers, dishwashing liquids, etc.

Sobeys also offer nut-free, lactose-free and vegetarian.

Sobeys has developed its own label, Compliments which include jam, butter, coffee, condiments, sauces, etc.

Additionally, the firm has a national network of 27 distribution centres.

UPDATES ON SOBEYS ON 14/07/2021

In 2021, Sobeys teamed up with Infarm, a German company in order to set up greenhouses in various stores in Canada. Through this method, Sobeys will be able to grow and sell fresh herbs and vegetables. Moreover, these products quill require less fertilizers.