Loblaw prepares to launch multiple no frills(R) in Atlantic Canada

Company growing its proven discount model

BRAMPTON, ON, June 18 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) is pleased to announce today that it plans to open six nofrills(R) banner stores in Atlantic Canada. Part of a powerful network of stores nationally, nofrills stores deliver trusted low prices, popular President's Choice(R) and no name(R) products and great offerings all amounting to an exciting new opportunity for the Company's valued Atlantic Canadian customers.

"Our nofrills banner store is a proven hard discount model that offers a tremendous price value proposition to customers," said Radek Mazurkiewicz, senior vice president, nofrills, Loblaw Companies Limited. "The retail landscape is changing in the Atlantic. We believe that expanding the nofrills model in this market allows us to compete more effectively and sets us up for the future."

Since its introduction in 1978, nofrills stores have been providing great value for their customers. With plans to open in fall 2010, the six stores announced today follow on the heels of a successful nofrills store in Shediac, NB, launched last year.

"Focused on low prices, great value and a commitment to community, the nofrills hard discount format is exciting news for Atlantic Canadians. We look forward to providing our customers with a banner store option with a distinct price proposition that we believe will better meet their budget and lifestyle needs than before," said Phil McNeill, senior vice president, Atlantic Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited.

Loblaw plans to open nofrills stores in the following provinces:

    
    Nova Scotia
    -   Sydney Welton, currently a Supervalu
    -   Bridgewater, currently a Save Easy
    -   Spryfield, currently a Superstore

    Newfoundland and Labrador
    -   Paradise, currently a Save Easy
    -   Clarenville, currently a Save Easy

    New Brunswick
    -   Saint John, currently a Superstore (located in Lancaster Mall)
    

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 138,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice(R), no name(R) and Joe Fresh Style(R) brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial(R) services and offers the PC(R) points loyalty program.

For further information: Loblaw Public Relations at [email protected], [phone]