'I'm coming here every day': Edmonton shoppers lukewarm on Loblaw boycott
A campaign that started online has many Canadian shoppers promising to boycott Loblaw companies in May.
Consumers say they're frustrated over the high cost of groceries, and Loblaw, which owns Superstore, Loblaws, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart, has a big stake in the Canadian market.
In the first quarter of 2024, Loblaw saw a profit of $459 million, an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to the same time last year.
At least one retail expert says a boycott of a retailer is harder to pull off than that of a company.
"If you're going to boycott Coca Cola or some big brand, you can easily just pick up a different brand off the shelf," John Pracejus of the University of Alberta School of Business told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
"But changing your shopping patterns is a little bit tougher. People tend to shop at the grocer that's closest to their home."
Pracejus says while Loblaw is a well known Canadian name, the company isn't the only one impacted by rising grocery costs.
"It's not just a Canadian problem, food costs are going up around the world. So I think maybe some of the boycotters who have been only shopping at Loblaws might find it interesting to learn that the prices at all Canadian retailers have gone up, especially in the food category."
Ultimately, he's not sure the boycott will take off.
"If enough people join it, if it kind of catches fire. If it gets viral on social media and everybody's talking about it, then it's possible. I don't believe that's going to be the case."
"People are creatures of habit, if they're used to stopping at a certain store on their way home from work, they're going to really have to have a strong reason to participate in a boycott."
Shoppers at a west Edmonton Superstore weren't optimistic about the boycott making a difference.
"I live across the street, I'm coming here every day," a shopper named Carlito told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. "It's convenient because gas is going up too."
"I shop at Superstore because they tend to have cheaper prices than other places," a consumer named Jennifer said. "No, I won't be boycotting because I still need to feed my family."
In a statement, Loblaw said in part:
"As a business, we are acutely aware of the fact that we have to win our customers' business each and every day. The last few years have been tough for Canadians, and we continue to do what we can to combat inflation at our stores."
"We’re going to keep working hard to deliver on our commitment to value and to rebuild the trust grocers have enjoyed for more than 100 years."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.