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OTTAWA — Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is as soon as once more insisting that he’s reaching out to worldwide grocers within the hopes they’ll open up store in Canadaand spur extra competitors.
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The minister says he spoke to at least one international grocer Tuesdaymorning as a part of his efforts to court docket new gamers to affix the Canadian grocery sector — however he’s not naming any names.
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“I can’t inform you an excessive amount of, or else you received’t ask me questions subsequent week,” Champagne instructed reporters in French. “I spoke with one firm this morning.”
Champagne met with Canadian grocers within the fall about meals inflation and demanded they create plans to stabilize grocery costs or face penalties together with potential tax measures.
The minister has just lately expressed disappointment that the grocers haven’t been extra clear about their plans. However he’s stayed mum on whether or not the federal authorities plans to punish them for it.
“Giant grocers haven’t, up to now, been sufficiently clear concerning the causes of meals inflation they usually have failed, for probably the most half, to supply common updates on initiatives geared toward stabilizing meals costs within the nation,” Champagne mentioned in a letter to Competitors Commissioner Matthew Boswell on Monday.
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“The continued document earnings within the grocery retail sector point out that there are extra alternatives to carry reduction for Canadian shoppers.”
Metro Inc. reported a first-quarter revenue of $228.5 million on Tuesday, with gross sales up by 6.5 per cent. In a digital press convention, CEO Eric La Fleche mentioned retail value will increase will begin coming to grocery shops as quickly as subsequent week, as an industry-wide blackout interval on provider value will increase involves an finish.
La Fleche beforehand mentioned Metro had not modified its costs as a result of assembly with Champagne.
“For the reason that assembly, issues haven’t modified,” La Fleche instructed a TVA reporter in November.
Champagne’s letter to Boswell instructed a follow-up examine on the grocery sector, now that the bureau has new powers to subpoena firms for data.
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“I additionally look ahead to discussing your evaluation on the potential scope and feasibility of a follow-up grocery market examine,” the letter mentioned.
The Competitors Bureau revealed the findings of its earlier examine in June, saying that grocers’ co-operation diverse and was not fulsome.
The report discovered that focus within the grocery {industry} has elevated lately, and the biggest grocers have elevated their earnings from meals gross sales.
The bureau additionally mentioned Canada’s grocery sector wants extra competitors to assist hold meals costs down, give consumers extra alternative and encourage new entrants.
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