Loblaws is one of the quality supermarket formats operated by Loblaw Companies, which opened the doors to its first grocery store in Toronto in 1919.

Its selection of speciality departments and shops under one roof in its bigger branches certainly makes it a compelling one-stop shop. On a typical trip, customers can put their camera films in for development, pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, consult a tobacconist at the Holy Smoke cigar shop, sign up for a credit card at its financial pavilion, pick up wine and a meal to go, consult a cosmetics expert, buy electronic goods and office supplies, pick up dry cleaning, visit the gym or enrol in a cooking class at the Upstairs at Loblaws community room.

A focus on fresh produce, a deep assortment of goods and quality and service really make it stand out from the crowd.

Edward Westenburg, who heads retail business development for Europe at Capgemini Utrecht, says the "freshness, quality and choice" are what makes Loblaws one of the world's greatest food stores.

Loblaws was a pioneer of quality own label with its No Name sub-brand, which it launched in 1978. Six years later it launched President's Choice, which offered superior quality but still at low prices.

Emulating the UK supermarkets, it is now mulling over whether to launch a third-price tier to its own label range. Unlike its UK counterparts, it also boasts a diverse and sophisticated frozen offer in a market where the customer still prefers frozen to chilled.



Location: Head office - Brampton, Canada

Established: 1919

No. of stores: 70

Fact: One of the pioneers of quality own label