Loblaw welcomes back Fort McMurray residents with store reopenings and conclusion of largest-ever fundraising campaign

BRAMPTON, ON, June 1, 2016 /CNW/ - With the return of residents to Fort McMurray today, Loblaw Companies Ltd. is pleased to announce that its fundraising effort has resulted in a donation of close to $5 million for those impacted by the recent wildfires.

"The outpouring of support from our customers and colleagues has been overwhelming, resulting in our largest-ever fundraising campaign," said Bob Chant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Loblaw Companies Ltd. "We recognize the residents of Fort McMurray have a long journey ahead of them and we hope that these funds can help in the rebuilding their community."

The donation is a combination of a number of efforts across the company's business in addition to the $300,000 financial commitment to the Canadian Red Cross, including:

• $280,000 worth of essential food and health provisions for evacuation centres and first responders from Loblaw grocery
• More than $4.2 million in cash donations collected at Loblaw grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart stores
• 76 million Shoppers Optimum points donated
• 47,000 Joe Fresh clothing items for displaced residents
• $25,000 from Shoppers Drug Mart to be put towards health and beauty aids for evacuees

Today also marks an important milestone for the company in Fort McMurray as one grocery store, one gas bar and one drug store will reopen to serve residents. The Shoppers Drug Mart at River City Centre on Franklin Avenue and the Real Canadian Superstore and Gas Bar at 9 Haineault Street will both open today. Store teams in Fort McMurray have been working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure that the product available to residents meets all quality standards. Work continues on three Shoppers Drug Mart locations, the Extra Foods store and Gas Bar and two Real Canadian Liquor stores with hopes of reopening in the next few days.

"I want to thank our colleagues, Associate-owners and their staff for their tremendous effort in getting these stores ready to serve residents," added Chant. "What would normally take six weeks took these teams just six days to achieve, truly demonstrating the commitment and compassion they have for their neighbours."

About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L)

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unitholder 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 company's 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; no-fee banking with PC Financial; 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

[email protected], 905-459-2500