The Loblaws boycott has Montrealers sharing the cheapest grocery stores (and more hot tips)

The beginning of May typically signals blooming flowers and open terrasses. But for some Montrealers this year, it also means it's time to boycott Loblaws. This includes subsidiaries you're probably familiar with. Heard of Maxi, Provigo or Pharmaprix?

Between the bread price-fixing scandal and pandemic pay cuts, contempt for Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its president Galen Weston Jr. is nothing new. The company and its leadership have been accused of everything from COVID-19 profiteering to "greedflation," price gouging, dumb deals and more — all while profits soar and executives line their pockets.

What is new, however, is the creation of an organized protest movement that's gaining steam, causing consumers to reflect on their grocery store habits in the process.

Here's a quick rundown on what this boycott is all about and how Montrealers are feeling about the local grocery scene — from their favourite stores to their most hated ones.

5 things to know about the boycott

1. The boycott stems from the r/loblawsisoutofcontrol subreddit, which has accumulated 63K members.

2. The plan was announced on Reddit by the "Loblaws Is Out Of Control" group moderator on March 15.

3. The group originally asked for a 15% reduction in food prices, and the removal of "member only pricing," which limits access to sales. They have since updated their list of demands to the following:

• Signing of the Grocery Code of Conduct
• No further retailer-led price increases for 2024
• No further increases to dividends
• Increased cost transparency
• A commitment to affordable pricing
• A commitment to ending price gouging, with prices quickly reflecting the market

4. Despite questions surrounding the group's decision to target Loblaw specifically, organizers say "Boycotting Loblaws doesn't mean 'only boycotting Loblaws.'" An FAQ document shared with MTL Blog reads, "We boycott Loblaws not because it is Loblaws, but because it is greedy and widespread. If there are other greedy chains (there are), I am pretty sure that the people will be boycotting them too. We are making an example out of Loblaws, I do not think X, Y, and Z would feel safe during this boycott since their turn would come if they do not change their practices too."

5. Loblaw Companies Ltd. has yet to respond to MTL Blog's request for comment on the boycott. However, CTV reported that, in a PR statement, a Loblaw spokesperson said, "The last few years have been tough for Canadians and we continue to do what we can to combat inflation at our stores."

The good, the bad and the ugly of Montreal's grocery store options

In response to the boycott, a separate thread in the r/montreal subreddit has been popping off, sparking more than 500 upvotes and 370 comments. "Fellow r/montreal weirdos and freaks are you participating in the boycott?" it asks.

The comments section is filled with Montrealers' thoughts on the boycott, plans for how they intend to avoid buying from blacklisted stores and brands and, above all, hot tips on the city's best and worst grocery stores — whether due to prices, cleanliness or trust in the ownership.

Secretly 'Big Five'

The top post by kilgoretrout-hk points out that Sobeys owns IGA, Tradition, Rachelle-Béry, and Kim Phat while Metro owns Super C, 5 Saisons, Adonis, Richelieu, and Marché Ami.

While this means they are not on the boycott list (unlike Provigo, Maxi, L'Intermarché, and Pharmaprix, which are owned by Loblaw), some Redditors expressed an aversion to shopping at any grocery store owned by Canada's big five grocers, sharing that they were disappointed to learn shops they thought were independent, were not.

"Wow I had no idea about Rachelle-Béry being owned by Sobeys. That makes them less trustworthy in my opinion," writes samontreal.

Upon learning Kim Phat is owned by Sobeys, Mailloche comments, "Really?? Wow never would've thought. [I'll] figure something [else] out! Thanks for the heads up."

Beloved grocery stores

In terms of beloved grocery stores, VaderOnReddit suggests Épicerie Segal for its "good prices and very good produce section." Segal's has been a staple on boulevard Saint-Laurent since 1927.

Supermarché PA's name was also thrown in the ring. "PA is the best. Best prices out there. I am still so surprised people [go] to chains like IGA [and] Provigo even though we have had local options like these for decades now," says mtlash.

Avril, which has a location in Ville-Marie, comes recommended by Jean-Guy13 as a "healthy alternative" that's not too expensive. Plus, Jean-Guy13 adds, "They play classical music instead of the generic radio stations."

Akhavan in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce also got a shoutout for being "inexpensive" with "good quality meats, and fresh cheese, nuts and spices, and olives and pickles, all at bulk."

If you don't want to shop for Asian groceries at T&T Supermarket because it's owned by Loblaw or Kim Phat because it's owned by Sobeys, Redditors suggest Newon, Marché Oriental, Fu Tai/Lian Tai/Sheng Tai, C&T, Ocean Plus, BTrust, and Jang Teu as alternatives.

That said, kilgoretrout-hk stresses that Kim Phat is still run by the Yip family "so they're not exactly the same as the other brands." Sobeys acquired 51% of Kim Phat in 2018.

Hated grocery stores

A grocery store that's not advised? The Super C on boulevard Pie-IX, at the corner of rue Ontario Est.

"Ugh why is super C so gross?!" writes UnicornKitt3n. "It’s maybe the nastiest store I’ve ever been in. I’m also pregnant, so I have to use the bathroom a lot. The bathroom there is always covered in blood. I was forced to use it once."

Multiple Redditors also expressed frustration over the fact that an IGA, Provigo or Maxi will sell the exact same items at higher prices when compared to their budget-friendly sister stores, like Maxi or Super C, just down the street.

"Feels like an effort to maximize the profit they can generate from each demographic. I find that kinda despicable," says WkndCake.

Opinions on Sami Fruit were a mixed bag with some people scolding them for reported tax fraud and others considering it a government problem that doesn't outweigh lower prices.

Hot tips

One idea that came out of the thread is to look for franchised family-owned branches of major grocery store chains for better deals. "The corporate-owned ones like in Alexis Nihon aren’t nearly as good," kilgoretrout-hk says.

Have a freezer? Want to buy in bulk to save some coin? No need to shop at Costco if you don't want to support the big five.

Mayran in Anjou and Aubut in the Sud-Ouest are local warehouse-style food suppliers, which are named in the Reddit thread. They offer a Costco-like experience, including the wholesale prices, without requiring a membership card.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.