Monthly Archives: October 2013

Over the summer, Loblaw, the largest grocery chain in Canada announced they were merging with Shoppers Drug Mart. They claim that this is a complementary joining and instead of “cutting into each others market shares” they would now be working together.

This huge merger means that Shoppers Drug Mart will offer certain Loblaw brands on their shelves such as Presidents Choice as well as a variety of fresh foods (something they lack), and gain access to a number of food suppliers. Loblaw, will acquire Shoppers praised loyalty points system for customers and can branch in to the ever growing health food market and pharmaceuticals.

Loblaw states that no Shoppers stores will shut down and  no small grocery chains will be affected from the merger. However, I feel as though the suspicions of Loblaw aiming to be the Wal-Mart of Canada is definitely true. Partnered with Shoppers, their customer base will be the largest and perhaps most loyal in Canada.

So what will this mean for the inconspicuous grocery stores of Canada? Since their sales will be challenged as their customers are herded to the one-stop-shop locations of the new and improved Shoppers Drug Mart and the grocery giant Loblaw, they will probably face huge declines in sales, and be forced to choose new paths. 

Article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-to-buy-shoppers-drug-mart-for-12-4b-1.1342108

Photos:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-to-buy-shoppers-drug-mart-for-12-4b-1.1342108

http://www.financialpost.com/related/topics/Loblaw+brings+talent/4338381/story.html

Abercrombie and Fitch’s comments in the recent years about avoiding “unattractive individuals” with their marketing and not producing women’s clothing over size 10 have created much disgust in the public. However Constance Ang’s blogpost “Religion or Work?”  on their religious bigotry has shone a light on their discrimination that has been taken to a whole new level.

A muslim worker, Ms. Hani Khan, was suspended for her decline to take off her head covering and was later fired for “refusing to comply”. This situation has proven A&F’s unethical views and reminds me of a recent debate over the Charter of Values in Quebec. The Charter proposes that all government workers will not be allowed to wear religious symbols or clothing, although a big portion of their population have cultural and moral views tied with their religious wear. Canada prides itself in being multi-cultural and the United States, their freedom, however their religious discrimination against individuals wearing religious materials are express something quite different.

Although it is true that workers should be religiously neutral during work, religious dress does not affect customers nor the sales, according U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It is simply shocking to me that companies and even the government have such discrimination towards individuals who do not fit a certain look or as Constance mentioned, “brand image”.

Photos:

http://www.floridaemploymentlawyerblog.com/2010/02/more_allegations_of_religious.html

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Editorial+Quebec+Charter+Values+shameful/8906668/story.html