Empire Co., Ltd.

The Canadian grocer has joined forces with InComm.

It’s not just Americans who are showing more interest in private label these days. According to a recent public opinion survey conducted by Harris/Decima for Canadian food retailer Sobeys, Inc., over 80 percent of grocery shoppers north of the border said they buy private label brands such as the grocer’s Compliments product line.

Sobeys, Inc. yesterday debuted a brand-new discount grocery concept in the form of eight FreshCo stores in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario.

Loblaw Cos., Ltd. has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2010, in recognition of the Brampton, Ontario-based grocer’s sustainable programs and efforts to include environmental values in its corporate culture.

Sobeys, Inc. yesterday unveiled its first annual Sustainability@Sobeys report, which sets forth the Canadian grocer’s long-term sustainability strategy, including reduction targets and progress so far.

Longo’s, a family-run grocery chain with 18 stores in the greater Toronto area, took part in the “Count Me In! Community Challenge,” a friendly competition among over 80 communities in the province of Ontario.

In keeping with its continuing consumer recognition efforts, Canadian grocery chain Longo's will be rewarding nearly 500 of its most loyal shoppers with free groceries this month -- a prospect made even more exciting for customers by the currently ailing economy.

Empire, the Canadian grocer's parent, saw comps rise 5.4 percent.