Food Basics Explained

Food Basics Ltd.
Foundation:1995
Location:Toronto, Ontario
Location Country:Canada
Type:Supermarket
Industry:Retail
Products:Food, general merchandise (non-food)
Parent:A&P Canada (1995–2005)
Metro Inc. (2005–present)
Key People:Liam Bryant (president)
Locations:142[1]

Food Basics Ltd. is a Canadian supermarket chain owned by Metro Inc. The company operates 142 stores throughout Ontario.[1]

History

Food Basics was created by A&P Canada to compete with the successful No Frills warehouse-style supermarket operated by Loblaw Companies. It became part of the Metro group[2] when A&P Canada was sold to Metro for $1.7 billion in 2005.[3]

Food Basics lowers its prices in a number of ways: low maintenance (no free plastic bags, just free cardboard boxes), store decor is kept to a minimum, and fewer staff are employed, mostly in part-time positions. The chain operates by pushing higher volumes on a limited selection of products than Metro stores, allowing it to compete price-wise with other grocery stores. There were 117 locations in Ontario. 36 were franchise stores until Metro Inc. purchased all stores back by the end of 2008.

Some Food Basics feature a pharmacy known as Food Basics Pharmacy.

Some locations are former Super Fresh or A&P supermarkets, dating from when both chains were operated by A&P,<ref>HighBeam A&P Canada begins store conversions. (Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company Inc.) or other former banners such as A&P-owned Dominion or Metro-owned Super C.

In the past, the owners' names appeared on the banner (e.g., 'John/Jane's Food Basics'); however, all stores are now simply called 'Food Basics'. Concurrent with this change is a different slogan, which was changed from "Best Prices Everyday!!!" to "Always more for less!"

In Fall 2006, Metro Inc. began to renovate Food Basics stores. The design and format of these new stores closely resemble Metro's Super C banner in Quebec. New store signs feature broken lettering and a larger emphasis on yellow, green, and beige colours. In Spring 2007, Metro Inc. initiated their new inventory system into all of its warehouses.

Labour relations

Food Basics is represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Food Basics mostly offers part-time positions, and each store has few full-time positions. In 2015, overnight positions were discontinued by most stores because of budget reasons.

Locations

143 locations in Ontario:[4]

Private label brands

Food Basics carries many products from Metro's private label brands:

Previous private label brands

See also

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: More about us . Food Basics . 2016-07-21.
  2. News: 2019-05-17. Upper James Metro to become Food Basics. en. The Hamilton Spectator. 2020-07-29. 1189-9417.
  3. Web site: July 20, 2005. Metro Inc. in deal to buy A&P Canada for $1.7B. July 29, 2020. CBC.
  4. Web site: Food Metro. 2021-02-22. corpo.metro.ca. en.
  5. Web site: Our Brands for Less Food Basics. 2021-04-04. www.foodbasics.ca.
  6. Web site: Jean Coutu deal starts paying off for Metro Canadian Grocer. 2021-04-04. en-US.
  7. Web site: 2008-09-22. Metro Begins Store Conversions. 2021-04-04. Supermarket News. en.