The country’s largest grocery chain owner reported a 4.1 per cent increase in revenue to about $15 billion in the second quarter. Its discount locations outperformed its other retail brands, with same-store sales at No Frills and Maxi up almost four per cent from the same period a year earlier, compared to 1.6 per cent growth across all Loblaw grocery stores. (The Logic)

Talking point: Loblaw and other grocery businesses have been expanding their networks of discount stores, as the rising cost of food prompts more shoppers to look for savings. Canada’s biggest grocery companies—Loblaw, Metro and Empire—have opened 61 new discount stores in their last financial years, with plans to add at least another 49 in their current ones. Loblaw opened seven such stores itself last quarter, representing half of its retail openings for the period. Across its discount locations, shoppers opted for cheaper frozen vegetables over fresh produce, CEO Per Bank said in a conference call, with those sales up five per cent. Customers are still willing to pay for convenience, however, with e-commerce sales up 19.3 per cent.

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