Rewards programs impact where Canadians shop

Introducing the PC Plus™ rewards program launching at Real Canadian Superstore^® locations

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - (TSX: L) - Today, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) announces the expansion of its PC Plus™ rewards program to Real Canadian Superstore^® locations and other select Loblaw banner stores across Canada. The program was launched earlier this year at 44 Loblaws^® stores in Ontario and now extends to the rest of the country, making it one of Canada's largest supermarket reward programs.The PC Plus™ program provides customers with an easy way to save money off their grocery bill. With the national launch of this program, Canadians can earn points through personalized offers that reward them on the items they buy most often to save on their total purchase.

A recent survey shows just how much Canadians love to collect points.  In fact, 90 percent of Ontario residents stated they use reward programs.

"We're excited to be able to provide Canadians with a new way to earn points towards dollars off their total purchase with the launch of the PC Plus™ reward program", said Uwe Stueckmann, senior vice president, marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited. "This unique rewards program helps families earn points on the items they buy most often and making shopping more convenient than ever, with tools like menu planners and shopping lists."

The survey also revealed that:

• British Columbians are savers - 93 percent who use rewards programs save up their points, and only 7 percent can't wait and spend them right away
• Albertans spend smart - the majority (66 percent) of Alberta residents who use rewards programs wait until they have $100 or more worth of points before they redeem
• It's good to treat yourself - 38 percent of Canadians in the Prairies who use rewards programs save their points for something special
• Sharing has its benefits - 67 percent of Ontarians share their rewards card to earn more points
• Points matter to Quebecers - nearly half (48 percent) of Quebecers who use rewards programs say that points have an impact on what they purchase at least some of the time, and 25 percent are likely to buy something that wasn't on their list just to earn more points;
• Atlantic Canadians are practical - more than half (56 percent) of Atlantic residents who use rewards programs use their points to purchase items they typically buy anyway

How to earn points and shop smart

To start earning points right away, shoppers can pick up a free PC Plus™ card at their local Loblaws^®, Zehrs Markets^®, Fortinos^®, Real Canadian Superstore^®, valu-mart^®, and Your Independent Grocer^® and register it at pcplus.ca or download the PC Plus™ app for Blackberry 10, iPhone or Android directly to their smart phone. Existing PC Financial^® customers simply need to register their President's Choice Financial^® MasterCard^® or no-fee debit card at pcplus.ca to add the PC Plus™ program to their current account.

Members will receive special offers via a weekly email or via the smart phone app - the more offers used, the more points earned that can be redeemed for dollars off their grocery bill. Taking advantage of in-store offers is another way to earn points.

Beyond the opportunity to earn and redeem for savings, the PC Plus™ program has a variety of helpful tools to make it easier than ever to plan meals and shop for the week. Members get access to convenient online tools, including personalized dinner suggestions, recipes, a shopping list and meal plans.

To register online or to find out more, visit pcplus.ca.

About Loblaw Companies LimitedTSX:L

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer 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 more than 134,000 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^®, no name^® and Joe Fresh^® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial^® services and offers the PC^® points and PC Plus™ loyalty program.

Methodology
From October 27^th to October 29^th 2013 an online survey was conducted among 3,025 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 1.8%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 
Loblaw Companies Limited
905-459-2500/[email protected]