What chains have operated simultaneously in both the U.S. and Canada?
Posted: 04 Jun 2018 13:28
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!
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!