Two Groceries on the Grow: Loblaw and Sprouts

* Loblaw Cos. (Brampton, Ont.) has unveiled plans to build 70 new stores across Canada this year. That total includes 34 Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 discount No Frills and Maxi stores. In addition, the chain plans to renovate another 191 stores, and to continue work on a 1.2 million-square-foot automated distribution center in Caledon, Ont. Overall, the grocer has 2500 locales operating under the President’s Choice, No Name, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, T&T, Joe Fresh, PC Express and PC Financial.

* Sprouts Farmers Market (Phoenix) said it expects to open 40-plus stores this year. The company disclosed those plans in the news release on its year-end 2025 financial results; for that period, the specialty grocer reported net sales of $8.8 billion (up 14% from a year earlier) and diluted earnings per share of $5.31 (up from $3.75 per share). With the opening of 37 new stores in 2025, the chain started this year with 477 locales in 24 states.