Longo’s to Open Biggest Toronto Store: Report

Canadian grocery operator Longo’s, which operates most of its supermarkets in suburban areas, is planning to roll out more downtown Toronto stores, including its biggest yet this fall in the Maple Leaf Square condominiums, according to a published report.

While the grocer’s other urban stores measure about 7,000 square feet, the Maple Leaf Square location will be closer in size to one of the company’s suburban units, although with a product assortment geared more toward city dwellers, including grab-and-go prepared foods like sushi and salads, The Toronto Star reported.

Longo’s learned that one-third of the food sold in its urban stores is takeout prepared fare, vs. 6 or 8 percent at a traditional suburban store, company CEO Anthony Longo told the newspaper.

The urban concept is performing well despite the recent recession and increased competition from the likes of Walmart and Sobeys’ new FreshCo format, according to Longo.

The Mississauga, Ontario-based retailer operates 22 locations, including four in downtown Toronto.