Loblaw uncorks convenience with British Columbia wine varieties on shelf at first of six grocery locations

Retailer applauds government as license brings 100 per cent British Columbia wines to more customers

SURREY, BC, Nov. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited is expanding convenience and choice for British Columbia customers with the introduction of wine on shelf in the first of six locations, all of which will ultimately carry more than 400 varieties of British Columbia wines.

"British Columbians come to our stores looking for outstanding flavours and meal inspiration," said Greg Ramier, Senior Vice President, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Customers in six communities will have increased convenience and choice with a wide selection of B.C. wine on our shelves. We applaud the government for making this possible, and we pledge our continued enthusiastic partnership as wine becomes available in more grocery stores."

Today's launch at the South Surrey Real Canadian Superstore is the first of the new licenses that will stock more than 400 varieties of wine.  Two more locations will roll out by the end of November. The locations will also have a wine expert in the store during peak business hours to support customers looking for recommendations and food pairing ideas.

"B.C.'s wine-on-shelves model is popular with customers and industry alike," said John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform. "This new store in Surrey makes it 12 grocery stores across the province providing consumers with a more convenient shopping experience and easier access to a wide variety of world-renowned made-in-B.C. wines, and there are more stores on the way."

"Our government heard loud and clear that people want the convenience of picking up a bottle of B.C. wine while they're buying groceries and we took action to make this happen," said Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale. "The wine-on-shelves program offers wineries another way to get their product to market and provides consumers an opportunity to try a new kind of B.C. wine."

"We welcome Loblaw as the newest entrant to the British Columbia wine retail world and the enthusiasm they bring in ensuring customers have access to a variety of local favourites and hidden gems," says Miles Prodan, President, BC Wine Institute. "We are excited to work together to advance our shared goal of providing customers greater access to BC wines."

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart^® and Pharmaprix^® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial^® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh^® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand^®, no name^® and President's Choice^®. Through the PC Plus^® and Shoppers Optimum^® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited

Image with caption: "Real Canadian Superstore South Surrey announces B.C. wine sales beginning today. (CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161115_C1906_PHOTO_EN_819798.jpg

[email protected] or Jenny McKenzie, Citizen Relations, [email protected], 778-227-0274