Real Canadian Superstore(R), Atlantic Superstore(R) and Loblaw Superstore(R)
banner stores offer 24 hour holiday shopping convenience!

- For those already making their lists and checking them twice,' tis the season for late-night shopping across the country -

BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - As the last of the leaves fall to the ground, customers can't ignore the busy upcoming holiday season, full of shopping, entertaining and catching up with loved ones. To help time-starved customers beat the holiday rush and shop at their convenience, Loblaw Companies Limited is pleased to announce that extended store hours across the country begin as early as December 4th in Ontario and Western Canada , and the 11th in Atlantic Canada . So for shoppers looking to get everything they need for the holidays conveniently under one roof, most Real Canadian Superstore and Loblaw Superstore locations will be opening 24 hours beginning December 4th in Ontario and select Atlantic Superstore locations will be offering 24 hour last-minute convenience to customers beginning December 22nd until closing on Christmas Eve .

"We know that no matter how prepared Canadians plan on being for the coming holiday season, there just never seems to be enough time to get it all done," comments Inge van den Berg, Senior Vice President, Corporate affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited. "With convenient 24 hour openings and later hours in many of our stores, plus a great selection of fresh and prepared food items for our customers' entertaining needs and gifts for the whole family, we're able to say Happy Holidays, Canada! in a way that will truly mean something to our valued customers."

The holiday season is all about giving, however, with the current economic climate some Canadians may have to spend differently this year. Thankfully, through select Loblaw banner stores and a broad range of well-priced national brand products and general merchandise, including Loblaw's own President's Choice(R), Joe Fresh Style(R), PC(R) Home Collection and no name(R) brands, customers can find an array of crowd-pleasing gifts for everyone on their list at great prices without having to sacrifice taste, quality or style.

To learn more about what's in store for the holidays, visit www.pc.ca. For specific locations and holiday hours in your area, see your store for details. Unless otherwise noted, select stores under the following banners will offer extended holiday hours, including:

    
    Ontario (beginning December 4th):

    Real Canadian Superstore(R)/Loblaw Superstore(TM) (Open 24 hours)*
    Loblaws(R) and Loblaw Great Food(TM) (Open until 11:00 PM)*
    Zehrs(R) and Zehrs Great Food(TM) (Open until 11:00 PM)*
    Fortinos(R) (Open until 11:00 PM)(xx)

    *    Select corporate store locations may have differing hours; see
           your store for details
    (xx)   Select franchised stores may have differing hours; see your store
           for details

    Atlantic Canada (beginning December 11th):

    Atlantic Superstore(R) (Select stores open until 11 PM, select stores
    open until midnight)*
    Dominion(R)(xxx) (Select stores open until 11 PM, select stores open
    until midnight)*

    Atlantic Canada (beginning from 7am on Dec 22nd to 5pm on Dec 24th):

    Atlantic Superstore and Dominion (Open 24 Hours)*

    *    Select corporate store locations may have differing hours; see
           your store for details
    (xx)   Select corporate store locations may have differing hours and
           certain restrictions regarding Sunday closures may apply; see your
           store for details
    (xxx)  Dominion locations in Newfoundland Only

    Western Canada (beginning December 4th):

    Real Canadian Superstore (Select stores open 24 hours, select stores open
    until midnight)*
    Extra Foods (Select stores open until 10 PM, select stores
    open 11 PM)(xx),(xxx)

    *    Select corporate store locations may have differing hours and
           certain restrictions regarding Sunday closures may apply; see your
           store for details
    (xx)   Select franchised stores may have differing hours; see your store
           for details
    (xxx)  Excludes Yukon Territories and British Columbia until December 13

    For all other banners including Your Independent Grocer(R), valu-mart(R),
    nofrills(R), Real Canadian Wholesale Club(R), Cash & Carry(R), Atlantic
    SaveEasy(R) and Atlantic SuperValu(R), see your store for details.
    

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 139,000 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: or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact: David Primorac, Senior Director, Public Relations, Loblaw Companies Limited, [phone], extension 613634, Email: [email protected]