What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?

All things Canadian.

Moderator: Groceteria

Post Reply
User avatar
Andrew T.
Veteran
Posts: 689
Joined: 18 Oct 2007 14:26
Location: Minnesota's attic, Canada
Contact:

What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?

Post by Andrew T. »

A&P, Safeway, Loblaws, and Grand Union have all operated on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border at one point or another. Are there any other chains that have done so; not counting companies like Walmart and Costco that aren't focused primarily on groceries?

I wouldn't expect this to be a long list. Canadian groceries carry unique package requirements (bilingual labels, metric units), and are bound by regulations different from those that affect U.S. foods...so grocers need to commit to completely separate distribution arrangements on both sides of the border. Add this to the intrinsic regional nature of grocery retailing, and it's astounding that any U.S. or Canadian chains have managed to cross over to the other side at all!
"The pale pastels which have been featured in most food stores during the past 20 years are no longer in tune with the mood of the 1970s."
Andrew Turnbull
User avatar
Groceteria
Great Pumpkin
Posts: 1927
Joined: 04 Nov 2005 12:13
Location: In the breakroom
Contact:

Re: What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?

Post by Groceteria »

Past years:
- IGA and Piggly Wiggly, both of which were franchises (though IGA is now the de facto corporate brand of Sobeys in Quebec).

Currently:
- Whole Foods
- H-Mart

Maybe others too. That's all I'm coming up with right now, though.
User avatar
Andrew T.
Veteran
Posts: 689
Joined: 18 Oct 2007 14:26
Location: Minnesota's attic, Canada
Contact:

Re: What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?

Post by Andrew T. »

My, that is a short list!
"The pale pastels which have been featured in most food stores during the past 20 years are no longer in tune with the mood of the 1970s."
Andrew Turnbull
retailfanmitchell019
Contributor
Posts: 25
Joined: 06 Sep 2021 22:46

Re: What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?

Post by retailfanmitchell019 »

Andrew T. wrote: 04 Jun 2018 13:28 Are there any other chains that have done so; not counting companies like Walmart and Costco that aren't focused primarily on groceries?
Albertsons almost came to Canada in 1974: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1149396 ... s-calgary/
In 2000, Albertsons was looking at buying Metro: https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/canada-outlook
Post Reply