The new self-serve, cash-and-carry concept of grocery retailing is a big hit with customers, who take advantage of quality goods at lower prices. Within a decade, the Loblaw chain expands to more than 70 stores in Ontario alone.

1924

Loblaw Groceterias expands throughout Ontario and into New York State, forming an American company headquartered in Buffalo

1928

Loblaw Groceterias expands into Chicago, Illinois

During a visit to one of the Chicago stores, company president Theodore Pringle Loblaw tells staff that if they are ever held up at gunpoint, they should just hand over the cash.
With 69 stores, a new state-of-the-art Loblaw head office and warehouse is unveiled at Fleet and Bathurst streets, along today’s Lake Shore Boulevard, in Toronto. Hailed as a model of efficiency, the Loblaw warehouse includes its own electric tram railway, giant ovens for baking cakes and cookies, huge drums for blending tea, and 22 thousand feet of pipes for refrigeration. Warehouse employees have their own bowling lanes and an auditorium for putting on plays.

1933

Loblaw introduces its new “market stores,” with full-service meat and produce departments

1933

T. P. Loblaw, dubbed the “Merchant Prince” by the press, dies at age 60

When still a boy, with only a few dollars in his pocket, he arrived in Toronto determined to find work. He landed a job in a grocery store and decided that one day he would own his own business. By the time of his death, Loblaw Groceterias included more than 150 stores in Ontario and parts of the United States. In addition to being a successful businessman, Loblaw was known for his philanthropy, which included support of local hospitals and the Boys Club.

1939

The name Loblaws appears on storefronts for the first time, replacing Loblaw Groceterias Co. Limited

1947

W. Garfield Weston, president of George Weston Limited, acquires 100,000 shares of Loblaw stock from company co-founder J. Milton Cork

Grocery bag-wielding families begin appearing on the cover of Weston annual reports. By the early 1950s, George Weston Limited has gained controlling interest of Loblaw Groceterias Co. Limited.

1949

Loblaw leads the way with the introduction of “healthfully-cool equipped air-conditioning” in its new “super markets”

Other innovations include “magic carpet” doors that open automatically for shoppers. The post-war boom of the 1950s sees store sizes steadily expand, with larger and larger parking lots to accommodate an increasingly suburban class of consumers.

1956

Loblaw Companies Limited is incorporated and acquires Loblaw Groceterias in Ontario and Loblaw Inc. in the United States

It also takes a major stake in National Tea, a large American grocery store chain, and soon acquires controlling interest. Loblaw Companies Limited goes on to become one of Canada’s largest private sector employers.

1959

Loblaw enters the trading-stamp wars with its own “Lucky Green Stamps”

Featured on its saver books is Miss Lucky Green, a bright-eyed, pony-tailed little girl. With wand in hand, she points the way to the “Magic World of Gifts” that awaits Loblaw shoppers. The Loblaw Lucky Green Stamp Gift Catalogue, with hundreds of household items to choose from, becomes a mainstay in many homes.

1967

Loblaw celebrates Canada’s Centennial

Hundreds of Canadian and Centennial flags are hung from its warehouse and head office to help mark a very proud moment in the country’s history – the 100th anniversary of Confederation. The Loblaw News writes that we’ve “never looked so colourful. The splendour of the 650 flags on Loblaw headquarters buildings was a stirring sight.”

1972

W. Galen Weston is appointed Chief Executive Officer

In the face of challenging price wars, Weston begins cutting costs, while looking to rejuvenate the chain. A complete redesign of Loblaw stores is initiated, and a new logo is adopted. Canadian actor William Shatner, hired for a new advertising campaign, tells TV audiences, “More than the price is right... but by gosh the price is right!”

1978

The no name brand is introduced

With its distinctive yellow packaging and bold lettering, no name makes a statement, and offers significant savings over the national brands while matching their quality. As sales grow, Loblaw opens its first no frills store in Toronto, featuring the no name line.

1981

The first Loblaw pharmacy opens in Winnipeg

1983

Dave Nichol’s Insider’s Report debuts

Described as a cross between Mad magazine and Consumer Reports, the quirky, cartoon-filled flyer, with product reviews and tongue-in-cheek commentaries, is an instant hit with shoppers.

1983

President’s Blend Coffee is launched

Dave Nichol likes the coffee at Toronto’s Windsor Arms Hotel so much that he hunts down its roaster to find out how to make coffee taste so good. President’s Blend Coffee is made with “European Preparation” and the use of hard beans – grown at over 3,000 feet in altitude and in cool temperatures so the beans mature slowly and develop a hard shell.

1984

The debut of President’s Choice products

The new product line quickly gains a devoted following among shoppers, who rave about the quality and value. The brand proves to be such a success that it makes its mark on everything from toasters to train sets.

1985

PC Teddy is born

After purchasing a designer teddy bear at top dollar, Dave Nichol decides that the PC brand should sell its own version of the cuddly critter. The PC Teddy is made with the softest plush stuffing and offered at a great price.

1988

The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie goes on sale for the first time

Made with butter, not hydrogenated coconut oil, and real chocolate chips (more than double the amount of the leading competitor), The Decadent becomes the best selling President’s Choice product, and goes on to be the best selling cookie in Canada.

1989

President’s Choice G.R.E.E.N products make their debut

This planet-friendly product line, created to address growing environmental concerns among Canadians, features more than 100 items, including 100% Natural Source Lawn & Garden Fertilizer and Just Peanuts Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter.

1989

President’s Choice Children’s Charity is created

Loblaw creates a charity to help children who are physically or developmentally challenged by removing obstacles that make everyday living difficult for them. Every dollar donated goes straight to helping kids and their families.

1992

The PC Train Set makes its debut

Boris Polakow, a former Senior Director of Corporate Brand Sales, is the mastermind behind this collector’s item. This toy train is like no other, with authentically detailed PC-labeled cars, a 34-feet brass track and an eight-wheel-drive diesel locomotive.

1993

The Dave Nichol Cookbook debuts

The cookbook celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Insider’s Report and features President’s Choice products. More than 200,000 copies are sold.

1994

PC brand starts nutritional labeling on all products

More than a decade ahead of Health Canada’s mandate, PC brand begins printing nutritional information on product labels.

1998

PC Financial is launched

President’s Choice Financial unveils no hassle, no fee, full service in-store banking. Press reports are favourable, although a bit tongue-in-cheek. One news headline jokes, “Dear, please pick up some milk and a mortgage.”

1998

Loblaw acquires Quebec-based grocery store chain Provigo

2001

PC Organics is created

Loblaw announces its goal to work with organic farmers who optimize the health and productivity of soil, crops and livestock through more holistic agricultural practices to deliver organic alternatives. The new PC Organics product line is certified by a third party and follows the strict guidelines of the National Standard of Canada on Organic Agriculture.

2002

PC Organics baby food is introduced

Parents appreciate the fact that PC Organics baby food costs no more than the national brands and comes with all the reassurance of organic certification.

2002

The PC Home line is launched

The trusted quality, value and variety of PC food products are available in a collection of home accessories, making decorating easy and affordable.

2005

The PC Blue Menu product line is launched

More than 80 new products to make healthy living easy are launched. Each product features a big PC Blue Menu logo on the front of the packaging to show the nutritional benefit of that item.

2005

Loblaw begins offering prepaid long distance and mobile services

2006

Joe Fresh Style arrives in stores

The clean, crisp, highly fashionable – and affordable – clothing line is designed by Joe Mimran, founder of Club Monaco. With the latest looks, Joe Fresh attracts lots of attention. The only thing missing is the high price.

2006

Presidentschoice.ca is one of the first grocery brand websites to incorporate consumer-generated content

Loblaw creates a portal on the presidentschoice.ca website for customers to rate and review products. Feedback is used for product improvement and the development of future products.

2007

The PC G.R.E.E.N Reusable Shopping Bag is introduced

Committed to reducing waste, Loblaw creates a revolutionary reusable shopping bag made from 85% post-consumer recycled plastic. With weekly use of just one bag, each person can divert approximately 100 bags from ending up in landfill sites each year.

2008

The premier issue of Loblaw’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report is launched

The report outlines Loblaw’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, which it pursues through five pillars: Respect the Environment, Source with Integrity, Make a Positive Difference in the Community, Reflect Our Nation’s Diversity, and Be a Great Place to Work.

2008

Loblaw opens its environmental flagship Superstore in Scarborough, Ontario

The store cuts discharges from refrigeration units by 85% and uses a new low-temperature system (the first of its kind in Canada), which reduces carbon emissions by 15%.

2009

Loblaw installs the first wind turbine at a Canadian grocery store

The turbine, installed at the Atlantic Superstore in Porter’s Lake, Nova Scotia, supplies about 250,000 kilowatt hours of power a year – or about one quarter of the store’s energy needs.

2010

Empty trays at seafood counters highlight “at risk” fish

As part of its commitment to source 100% of the seafood sold in Loblaw stores from sustainable sources by the end of 2013, empty trays are displayed at the seafood counters of select corporate stores to identify fish that are identified as at risk.

1919

2011

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