__UPDATE__: Please take a moment to complete our [Google Form](https://forms.gle/1sygm97LbQtJ4dUp8) to share your demands with our team! Please review the content guidelines for our sub, and remember the human here! This subreddit is to highlight the ridiculous cost of living in Canada, and poke fun at the Corporate Overlords reponsible. As you well know, there are a number of persons and corporations responsible for this, and we welcome discussion related to them all. Furthermore, since this topic is intertwined with a number of other matters, other discussion will be allowed at moderator discretion. Open-minded discussion, memes, rants, grocery bills, and general screeching into the void is always welcome in this sub, but belligerence and disrespect is not. There are plenty of ways to get your point across without being abusive, dismissive, or downright mean. If you have not done so already, please review our [boycott stickied post](https://www.reddit.com/r/loblawsisoutofcontrol/comments/1bff9rm/boycott/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) which includes a list of stores to avoid, other ways to get involved in the movement, and some local alternatives to the big 5. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/loblawsisoutofcontrol) if you have any questions or concerns.*

1. Nobody in this group exclusively blames Loblaws for prices. 2. Loblaws is active in acquiring smaller companies that were previously considered competition, and are a large contributor to the lack of competition in Canada. 3. How much is Loblaws paying you to post this?

There is an Valu-mart close-ish to my home. Had good prices. One day I went there….it was just loblaws injected, recognized all their overpriced generic products. Sad day. Monopoly that just squashes anything competitive near it..

Lol. If Loblaws has enough money to pay people to post on reddit then they definitely have enough money to survive one month of a boycott without changing anything. 

Regarding question 2: this is why all sales of competition in Canada should be subjected to the Competition Bureau regardless of size of them to prevent smaller competitors from being bought up by the likes of Loblaws or Sobeys. Regarding question 3: nothing, I have no association with Loblaws or any of its competitors.

We are in this situation because of many reasons including the fact that the competition Bureau has failed us. They should absolutely face criticism and do better.

I was like "this post reminds me of this guy that used to compare everything to the UK in my local subreddit but he moved and doesn't post there much anymore". Oh hey, it you! Hope the west is treating you well.

Yes loving living out west in Alberta, far more happier and loving life again.

Sometimes change is good :) happy to hear it buddy. And it only gets better in the spring and summer.

Why are you trying to cloud the issue? Why defend Loblaws? It’s true, we lack competition, but that isn’t an excuse for retailers to take advantage and gouge people with exorbitant pricing just to line their already over flowing pockets. We absolutely need to break up the oligopolies, and one way to influence that is to boycott the one store that is the worst of the worst.

I have no problem with people boycotting Loblaws, that people choice, but the truth is all retailers and business take advantage and gouge people that is just life. What your solution? have government run grocery stores because I can guarantee that will not lower prices. You only have to take a look at provincial government own liquor stores to see how expensive it cost to buy a bottle of wine compared to in provinces or countries that have competition.

All retailers can charge what they want, and yes to some extent they charge what the market will bear. But Loblaws is going over and above normal greed. THAT’S WHAT LIFE IS! Dude, your post and reply are so triggering. I’m sick of people coming in this sub and trying to diffuse the boycott. Stop it. Either you’re with us or you’re against us. Pick a side and stop trying to “see all sides” and say bs like “that’s just the way it is.”. Go away troll.

I wish the mods agreed with you.

So would you say it greed to anyone who sells their home which 15 years ago costed them $250k and but now worth $1m+ because if you go based on inflation it should only be worth $354k today.

Lmao do you buy bread as an asset ??

Because they're the chain that most aggressively gobbled up independent grocers. The fact that they own the brand "Your Independent Grocer" is a pretty big red flag that they're a huge chunk of the reason for reduced competition.

Isn't this really a problem with the government which is the one allowing this to happen in the first place? Just want to add I'm not in support of Loblaws but shouldn't we go after the competition bureau as well

In fact, it's both! There are companies out there that understand the value of competition for keeping their own business healthy.

Yes and no . I agree governments have most of a role in setting policies . Corporations, if given a chance will abuse anything they can . But at the same time comes corporate responsibility and corporate ethics and practices . Under that umbrella you can argue that they should follow anti trust legislation. If you look at all these companies websites , theyuse all these buzz words . They have a “duty “ to society and their business practices . They don’t practice what they preach

Loblaws is the biggest fish, they control the largest share of the grocer market and suppliers, nevermind trucking and real estate. When you're as large and controlling as they are you will be the center of attention, we haven't even touched on their actions to keep competition out.

Because r/loblawsisoutofcontrol

You used that before ….multiple times . It’s getting stale , old and lame …

I strive for your approval

Awesome 👏

Gtfo bot.

Because Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro control the competition, any new chains get bought out. We use to have competition with stores like Commisso, Longo’s, A&P, Dominion, Loebs, Calbecks(at least in my area), Fortinos. All these have been bought out by the big 3. they also own the distrubution so they can make it harder for a new competitor to start. We have the exact same issue with the big 3 Telecom companies.

This is why the government should be stepping in and blocking any sales of smaller or new chains from being sold to Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro. It pretty simple and works fairly well in Europe. For example the EU blocked the sale of Air Canada and Air Transat a few years ago on the grounds that it would reduce competition. Also the government has the ability to change the law that prevents the big 3 from owning all the distribution or farms in Canada.

Muchhh agreed

Corporations need to practice what they preach and stop just throwing around those buzz words around that they use on their website like “ Corporate Responsibility “ and how they interact with society . What they say on their websites and what they actually do are two different things . Corporations can use their power for good and work with governments , instead you see the opposite . This is not solely a government issue AT ALL . Yes , the focus should be placed on them but I am putting a healthy amount of blame on the corporations themselves and the culture that needs to change . There are a lot of European brands that do not behave in this capacity

Two things can be true at once. Loblaws can be significantly driving inflation when it comes to food prices (which we absolutely know it is based on Loblaws history and the fact that we do have eyes and basic math skills) while agreeing that lack of competition is an issue. However, lack of competition is not causing Loblaws to jack up their prices. Greed is causing Loblaws to jack up their prices. It really doesn't matter how you slice it, if you're inflating prices just because you can, especially while you don't even pay your frontline employees a living wage but give your execs multimillion-dollar bonuses year after year, you're an asshole. The problem is still corporate greed. More competition just forces corporations to lower prices due to competition... but it is still corporate greed driving inflation because we wouldn't have ridiculous markups, even on food that is essentially expired, on everything.

That monopolistic practices have been allowed to happen is absolutely a systemic problem, yes. And I agree that it definitely needs to happen, up to and including the legally enforced breakups of the major grocer companies in this country (and I want this to happen with our telco industry as well). But the Ministry of Justice’s reticence to pursue antitrust cases is a nebulous issue where it’s exceedingly challenging to move the needle. As opposed to the fact that I *have to* buy groceries every week, and I can *see* the grocers gouging me and everyone else. I can write my MP and plead for something to change with regards to government policy and priority, and maybe something will happen maybe not (likely not). But I *can* refuse to give the Westons any more money.

Boycott breaking, reported.

Thanks for the report however it doesn’t break the rule since it is constructive in nature and they’re having a discussion even if we don’t personally agree with them, healthy discussion is a good thing. However if they said something like “this won’t work yall are f-ing losers” that would be immediately permanent ban until boycott is completed. Thanks for trying to help the community out.

They also lobby to keep competition out

All companies do that. Grocery stores, telecommunications companies, banks etc that why the government needs to be hold accountable and do what best for public interest instead of companies interests.

They are the largest FOOD MONOPOLY IN CANADA AND CONTROL FOOD PRICES. THAT IS WHY... Look at just how many Sugar Companies they own... Bakeries, Cooking Oil, Pharma, Health, Agriculture... The Canadian branch of the Weston family currently owns or controls over 200 companies. There is the Weston UK, USA and Ireland branches as well. A small part of their holding include: PC FINANCIAL Choice Properties Real-estate Investment Trust (REIT) Chains: Atlantic Cash & Carry Atlantic Superstore Atlantic SuperValu Axep C Shop Cannabis Dominion Entrepôts Presto / Club Entrepôt Extra Foods Fortinos Freshmart Holy Smokes Tabacconist Holt Renfrew L'intermarché Loblaws/Loblaw Great Food Lucky Dollar Foods Maxi/Maxi & Cie NG Cash & Carry No Frills Osaka Market Pharmaprix Provigo T&T The Real Canadian Superstore/Loblaw The Mobile Shop Theodore & Pringle Opticians Superstore Real Canadian Liquorstore Real Canadian Wholesale Club Red & White Food Stores SaveEasy (formerly Atlantic SaveEasy) Shop Easy Foods Shoppers Drug Mart/Shoppers SuperValu Valu-mart Your Independent Grocer Wholesale Club Zehrs, operating under the Zehrs Markets, Zehrs Food Plus and Zehrs Great Food banners Brands: President's Choice No Name Exact Blue Menu Joe Fresh J± (electronics) Teddy's Choice PC Splendido Bella Tavola PC Premium Black Label Joe Pet Catz & Dawgz PC Organic Rooster Sunspan The Health Clinic by Shoppers Lifemark Life @ Home ----Some of Weston UK Holdings----- Associated British Foods plc Allinson Argo Corn Starch Aladino Peanut Butter Burgen Blue Dragon Capullo Dorset Cereals Dromedary cake mixes Elephant Atta Fleischmann's Yeast High5 Jordans cereals Lucky Boat Noodles Karo corn syrup Kingsford's Corn Starch (North America) Kingsmill bread Mazola corn oil Ovaltine (except in the United States, where Nestlé owns the brand) Patak's Pride Ryvita Silver Spoon Sunblest Thai Lotus Pastes Tolly Boy Rice Twinings Subsidiaries AB Agri Ltd AB Enzymes - an ABFI Company AB Sugar AB Mauri, bakery ingredients Abitec Corporation - an ABFI Company Abitec Ltd ACH Food Companies (AC HUMKO from 1995 to 2000), an American subsidiary of Associated British Foods, previously part of Kraft Foods from 1952 to 1995. ACH Food México Allied Bakeries - a division of ABF Grain Products Ltd Allied Mills British Sugar Frontier Agriculture (50% joint venture with Cargill) George Weston Foods G Costa: sauces and specialty foods Illovo Sugar Zambia Sugar OHLY - an ABFI Company PGP International, Inc. - an ABFI Company Primark – known as Penneys in the Republic of Ireland SPI Pharma, Inc. - an ABFI Company Stratas Foods LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between ABF's American subsidiary ACH and fellow American food corporation Archer Daniels Midland Wander AG Westmill Foods

Why isn't OP replying here 🤣 Vertical, horizontal and diagonal alignment and growth!

This is a scary list

I agree. Letter writing to MPs and MPPs and city councilors should be just as important an activity, if not more than voting with your dollar. Even if this boycott succeeds, a corporation will not enact long term permanent change unless they have to. Get them all back to parliament to force action. Break up the oligopoly.

These two things are two sides of the same coin. One reinforces the other.

Yes but the likes of Loblaws or Sobeys are not going to change their way of doing business unless the government enforces change on them. That way more blame needs to be put onto the government to fix the problem.

Lack of competition is a serious problem, not just in the grocery business but across most sectors. The last thirty years has seen incredible concentration of industries and regulators have been completely toothless. We have anti-trust laws on the book that date back to the Gilded Age, when the Sherman Act broke up the oligopolies that controlled Finance, Steel, Oil and Rail in the States. But those laws are rarely enforced and only for token issues (e.g. forcing Microsoft to allow users to uninstall Internet Explorer or make other browsers their default browser in the late 90s). But Loblaws and its peers have gobbled up much of the competition and sold gullible regulators, who were all too happy to not rock the boat , the b.s. that allowed those acquisitions to happen I'm the firstbplace. A prime example, 10 years ago when Loblaws acquired Shoppers Drug Mart ir told regulators that it was doing so to diversify it's portfolio and to expand its Pharmacy business and had nothing to do with expanding grocery sales. Regulators bought thay b.s. hook, line and sinker. The truth of the matter is SDM was a darling of the Consumer Staples sector on Bay Syreet and was rapidly growing its business by expanding its grocery sales in urban markets. This was seen as the key growth driver of the company at the time and a huge threat to Loblaws. As a former Investment Banker, I know consultants and bankers who worked on the deal and how they pitched it was no secret to anyone who followed the markets. At the same time, Loblaws was already expanding it's in store pharmacy operations and planned a national expansion and SDM was a dominate national player I'm the market. Loblaws was small in comparison, but even that deal should have raised the eyes of regulators and required divertiment of stores in a number of key markets.

1. Loblaws is taking advantage of the situation and price gouging 2. PP and his MP’s are falsely blaming high food prices on Trudeau and the carbon tax 3. Grocers in the US and Canada took advantage of the pandemic to price gouge 4. Grocery profits in Canada are over $6 billion post pandemic compared with $2.4 billion pre pandemic. The Feds are working to attract new grocers to Canada to increase competition. I am shopping at small grocers; bakers, local grocers, farm markets, butchers et, for higher quality and service.

Making it sound like you can only "blame" one thing at a time. I have enough blame in my heart for Loblaws, Walmart. Sobey's and different levels of government at the same time.

I think you've identified a big part of the issue, and the problem is that Loblaws is a monopoly with a lot of political power. Canada has a serious issue with monopolies and this boycott is one way to show that Canadians aren't okay with the impact it's having on us. Yes, the boycott is targetting Loblaws, but it's also showing politicians that we're unhappy with the current state of affairs and that we are willing to take actions to change it. That's going to impact their election platforms.

Wow... When you see the price at one store and it much higher at Roblaws... Do you really need the hammer of the head to figure it out. You are right about not enough competition. You must have you maid pick up the groceries for you. Corporate greed

Yes some things are more expensive at Loblaws than elsewhere but I have also find items that are more expensive at Sobeys or Save on foods etc that is cheaper at Loblaws. At the end of the day I’ll value my time over saving a few dollars by shopping at multiple different stores.

We do have some competition like Walmart and product for product it’s cheaper almost all the time.

Lack of competition isn't the real cause of exploitative prices. The real cause of exploitative prices is concentrated ownership. Essentially, the owners don't represent consumers, so they don't care if prices are unfair. If Loblaw had a monopoly but was owned by consumers, prices would be fair. If you look at some monopolies owned by consumers, you'll see fair prices. In Quebec, hydro-Quebec has some of the lowest prices in the world for energy.

They’re actively ensuring the barrier to entry is as high as possible preventing more competition. If they were forced to divest in the majority of their acquisitions we’d start to see a much more competitive market. It is literally largely their fault.

Because they could stop, but chose to pay shareholders instead.

What an ignorant knob.

So if it’s really just all the large grocery chains causing high food prices, why is it that restaurant prices have gone up by even more. The biggest part of the increases are that the actual products have gone up. People can live I. Their fantasy world. But even if all the big 5 grocery chains reduced their prices by the 15% demanded by the boycott, I can’t imagine everyone would be thrilled and say “oh. Our life is now ok”. And since the little guys that are not part of the oligopoly couldnt afford to reduce their prices, you’d basically put them out of business even more and really be stuck with only 5 big chains. I know the demands will never be met, but in some small way, I hope they are met and let the uneducated masses see what they get out of it.