Loblaws Divisions Explained

File:Loblaws Super Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.jpg
Exterior of a Loblaws store. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unportedlicense. Subject to disclaimers.

Today’s post will be on Loblaws’ different divisions and differences between then and what décor package they use. I got the names of the divisions off of the Loblaw Companies website and added my own sub-division names where applicable. The information in this post is correct as of April 17th, 2020.

Market format

The market format is your typical everyday market with full serve deli, bakery, butcher, and seafood counters, pharmacy and a limited selection of Joe Fresh clothing and household items. It can be further split up based on décor. The “inspire” concept is Loblaws’ high-end format used at namesake stores, Provigo, and City Markets. That format features an upscale appearance. Below is a list of stores based on décor package.
Stores that are “Standard Market format”: These stores include a less expensive décor package, but are basically the same as Inspire stores. Stores that are part of this sub category are Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, Valu-Mart, Atlantic Superstore, Dominion (Newfoundland and Labrador), T&T Supermarkets, Fortinos (has own décor package and design but is considered by Loblaw to be part of the Market division)
Stores that are “Inspire Market Format”: These stores have a more upscale decor package with high end service departments. Stores under this format include Loblaws, City Market, and Provigo.

Discount Division

The discount division consists of No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Extra Foods, Maxi/Maxi&Cie. Superstore and Maxi & Cie are hypermarkets with grocery and an expanded general merchandise section and services such as dry cleaners, pharmacy, and a photo lab.
No Frills and Maxi however is a deep discount store with no first-party service departments (except for a pharmacy at select locations) and a limited selection of goods compared to other stores in this division. Each chain uses their own brand image and décor with limited uniformity aside from certain promotional signage.


That was a basic explanation of the different divisions of Loblaws and their differences,
Until next post, DZ

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