Loblaw revealed new designs for its Shoppers Drug Mart and No Frills expansion, and Canadians aren’t impressed.
On Monday, the president and CEO of Loblaw Companies Ltd., Per Bank, announced that the company will open dozens of new stores across Canada, creating thousands of jobs.
Canada’s largest grocery and pharmacy retailer said in a release that it will invest $2.4 billion into the Canadian economy in 2026.
The money will be used to expand and renovate its store network across the country, improve its supply chain capabilities, and create over 9,000 jobs.
“At a time when Canadians are focused on affordability and access to health care, we’re leaning in by expanding value-driven banners like No Frills and Maxi,” Bank stated in a post on LinkedIn.
Loblaw plans to open 70 stores this year, including 34 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, as well as 31 No Frills and Maxi stores. There will also be a renovation of nearly 200 additional stores.
“This isn’t about square footage. It’s about making everyday essentials more affordable, expanding access to pharmacy care, strengthening local communities, and creating thousands of meaningful jobs,” Bank added on LinkedIn, sharing concept photos of the designs for the new No Frills and Shoppers Drug Mart stores.
Per Bank/LinkedIn
Canadians online are skeptical of whether these new stores will actually come with cheaper grocery prices.
“We’ve gouged Canadians, and now we get to rub it in their faces with palatial store designs!” reads a post on Reddit sharing the concept design photos.
“We’ve gouged Canadians, and now we get to rub it in their faces with palatial store designs!”
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u/stanxv in
loblawsisoutofcontrol
“Mo Frills,” reads another comment.
“No Frills: now with more frills,” another person echoed.
One person even pointed out the expensive Porsche parked in front of the No Frills in the concept design.
“You need to be that rich to afford the beef. Literally,” a Redditor joked.
Others think this will just lead to more price gouging, which Loblaw has been accused of in the past.
“How about paying your employees well and lowering your prices?” reads one comment.
“Lots of money for that from price gouging but none for living wages,” added another.
The grocery giant has faced some more recent controversies, including Real Canadian Superstore being fined after a federal investigation into its in-store displays found them to be misleading.
A No Frills shopper also recently called for greater transparency after she discovered that a sale item she purchased didn’t show the original price on the digital price tag.
What do you think of these new store designs? Let us know in the comments.
With files from Daniel Chai