Brampton-based grocer Loblaw Companies Ltd. has announced plans to open dozens of new stores and bring thousands of jobs to Ontario.

Loblaw said on Monday that it is opening 27 new stores in Ontario this year as part of a $2.4 billion expansion plan, which includes 70 new stores across Canada.

The new locations will include 34 Shoppers Drug Marts and Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 No Frills and Maxi grocery stores.

The Brampton company is also renovating 191 stores across Canada, while continuing construction of an approximately 1.2 million-square-foot automated distribution centre in Caledon.

Loblaw says the new stores will create some 3,775 jobs in Ontario, including roles associated with the company’s two new automated distribution centres. The renovations and Caledon distribution centre will also lead to “9,700 retail and construction jobs from coast to coast.”

“Our success depends heavily on the strength of the communities we serve,” Loblaw CEO and President Per Bank said in a statement. “We see this as a significant investment in our network and capabilities as one of Canada’s largest retailers, but it is also an investment in the people we serve and their ability to access great value and quality healthcare. By helping Canadians live life well, our business gets stronger too.”

The company did not respond to a request for information on where the new stores will open in Ontario.

Loblaw is also bringing in artificial intelligence features for customers, saying earlier this month that shoppers will be able to use Google’s AI features to shop for health, beauty and apparel products. The announcement followed the launch of the PC Express app within ChatGPT, providing an easy and fast way to shop for groceries.

The company’s grocery stores, including Real Canadian Superstores, Loblaw’s, NoFrills, Shoppers Drug Mart, have come under criticism amid inflation and an affordability crisis in Canada where food bank use has hit record highs in recent years.

An online-led boycott of Loblaw stores last year was sparked by consumers frustrated with food prices, which rose by double-digits over just a few years while Canada’s biggest grocers reported higher profits.

The boycott launched the same day Loblaw reported more than $13.5 billion in profits in 2025.


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