The grocery chain said it will spend $2.4 billion in part to open 34 pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 of its “hard discount” stores. It will also renovate 191 stores. (The Logic)

Talking point: Loblaw expects the work to create more than 9,000 jobs, more than 3,700 which will be in Ontario, where it is continuing work on an automated distribution centre and where 27 new stores will open. The work is part of Loblaw’s plan to spend $10 billion by 2030. It announced the plan last year, when it committed to spending $2.2 billion to add 80 stores, including 50 in its hard discount division, which includes its No Frills and Maxi brands. Canada’s grocers have been focusing on growing their discount offerings amid high food prices. Loblaw experimented with a new type of ultra-discount store, opening three No Name-branded stores in Ontario in 2024. However, it closed two of them just a year later.