# List of supermarket chains in Canada
Supermarket chains in Canada are the grocery retail banners operated by a small group of parent companies, above all Loblaw, Empire (Sobeys), Metro, Costco, and Walmart, together with regional chains and roughly 6,900 independent grocery stores[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). Most [Canadians](https://www.edgepedia.org/canadians) buy groceries from stores owned by one of the five largest companies, and a shopper who avoids a store named [Loblaws](https://www.edgepedia.org/loblaws), Sobeys, or Metro may still be shopping at a banner those companies own or are affiliated with[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dominant companies | Five companies account for most grocery sales: Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Costco, and Walmart[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition) |
| Scale of the big three | In 2022, Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro together reported more than $100 billion in sales and more than $3.6 billion in profits; each operates over 1,000 stores including franchised locations[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition) |
| Market share (2019, USDA estimate) | Loblaws 23.6%, Sobeys 16.9%, Metro 9%, Costco 6.6%, Walmart 6.2%[2](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-public-interest-advocacy-centre-consultation-market-study-retail-grocery) |
| Combined share | The top three traditional food retailers (Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro) and top two general merchandise retailers (Walmart and Costco) held an estimated 80% of grocery sales in 2020[3](https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/canadas-agriculture-sectors/sector-overviews-data-and-reports/retail-fees-issue-canadian-food-industry) |
| Geographic reach | Loblaw and Sobeys operate across the country; Metro operates only in Ontario and Quebec, serving about 60% of the Canadian population[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition) • [4](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-empire-company-limited-and-its-subsidiary-sobeys-inc-consultation-market-study-retail) |
| Independent sector | About 6,900 independent grocery stores operate in Canada, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition) |
| International entrants | Costco entered Canada in 1985 and grew to 107 stores; Walmart created its Supercentre format (groceries plus general merchandise) in 2006 and grew to more than 344 Supercentre stores[5](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf) |
## The five major companies
**Loblaw Companies** is the largest grocer in Canada. Its banners include Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Provigo, Zehrs, Fortinos, Valu-mart, Dominion, Atlantic Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, City Market, Extra Foods, T&T Supermarket, and Maxi[6](https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2024/06/competition-bureau-advances-investigations-into-sobeys-and-loblaws-use-of-property-controls.html). The Competition Bureau's 2023 market study also lists [Shoppers Drug Mart](https://www.edgepedia.org/shoppers-drug-mart) and Pharmaprix, the company's pharmacy banners, among stores owned by or affiliated with Loblaw[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf). The portfolio spans discount formats such as No Frills and Maxi, full-service supermarkets such as Loblaws and Zehrs, large-format superstores, and ethnic and specialty banners such as T&T Supermarket[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf).
**Empire Company (Sobeys)**, headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, has served Canadian shoppers since 1907[4](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-empire-company-limited-and-its-subsidiary-sobeys-inc-consultation-market-study-retail). Its grocery store brands include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Foodland, Longos, Farm Boy, Thrifty Foods, Les Marchés Tradition, and Marché BoniChoix[6](https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2024/06/competition-bureau-advances-investigations-into-sobeys-and-loblaws-use-of-property-controls.html). [Statistics Canada](https://www.edgepedia.org/statistics-canada)'s retailer list for its Monthly Survey of Large Retailers adds further Sobeys-affiliated banners, including Canada Safeway, IGA Extra, Price Chopper, Rachelle-Béry, Needs Convenience Store, and Western Cellars[8](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/statistical-programs/document/5027_D1_V10). Empire built much of this portfolio through acquisitions: more than 200 Safeway stores in 2012, Farm Boy in 2018, and a 51% interest in Longo's and Grocery Gateway in 2021[9](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-food-health-consumer-products-canada-consultation-market-study-retail-grocery).
**Metro Inc.** operates only in Ontario and Quebec, but through those operations serves about 60% of the Canadian population[4](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-empire-company-limited-and-its-subsidiary-sobeys-inc-consultation-market-study-retail). Its banners include Metro, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis, Marché Richelieu, marché ami, Jean Coutu, and Brunet[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf). Statistics Canada's list also names Drug Basics and The Pharmacy among its banners[8](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/statistical-programs/document/5027_D1_V10). Metro acquired The Jean Coutu Group in 2018[9](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-food-health-consumer-products-canada-consultation-market-study-retail-grocery).
**Costco and Walmart** are the next largest grocers in Canada[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf). Both sell more than food, but they compete directly with Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro for grocery sales[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf). With only about 500 stores between them, they are not an option in every community[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). The Retail Council of Canada credits their entry with significantly restructuring the market, ranking them as Canada's third and fifth largest grocers by sales volume on 2020 data[5](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf).
## Regional and mid-sized chains
Regional markets, especially in [Western Canada](https://www.edgepedia.org/western-canada), have a significant presence of mid-sized grocers, including Save-On-Foods, London Drugs, Federated Co-Operatives, and The North West[5](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf). The Retail Council of Canada names Overwaitea as the most prominent of the sizeable regional players[5](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf). Loblaw's own submission to the Bureau's market study identifies the Pattison Food Group, which operates Save-On-Foods, as one of four domestic grocery companies running multiple banners across Canada, alongside Loblaw, Empire, and Metro[10](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/Loblaw-Market-Study-Submission.pdf).
Statistics Canada's survey list records other regional operators, including Buy-Low Foods Limited Partnership, whose banners are AG Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Buy & Save Foods, Fine Foods, G&H Shop N' Save, and Nesters Market[8](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/statistical-programs/document/5027_D1_V10). Smaller independent chains named in consultation submissions include Rabba, alongside [Dollarama](https://www.edgepedia.org/dollarama), Giant Tiger, and Whole Foods as other food-selling retailers[5](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf).
## Independent grocers
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, there are about 6,900 independent grocery stores in Canada[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). The Competition Bureau's study found that most independents operate on a local or regional basis, that it is difficult for them to expand nationally, and that without government support they should not be expected to expand significantly in the near future[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). Access to independent stores varies considerably by community: urban Canadians have significantly more options than those in rural and remote areas[7](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf).
## Concentration and the discount segment
The structure of the banner system shapes competition. In 2022, Canada's three largest grocers collectively reported more than $100 billion in sales and more than $3.6 billion in profits[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). An academic estimate places the five major players at 76% of the domestic food retail market, with Loblaw the biggest at an estimated 28%[11](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cjag.12341).
A distinctive feature of the Canadian market is that the large grocers also own many of the biggest discount stores: Loblaw owns No Frills and Maxi, Sobeys owns FreshCo, and Metro owns Food Basics and Super C[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). This differs from countries where large grocers compete against lower-priced standalone chains such as ALDI or Lidl[1](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition). The Bureau's 2023 report, *Canada Needs More Grocery Competition*, recommended that governments support independent and international grocers entering the market, adopt harmonized unit pricing, and limit property controls that make it difficult for new grocery stores to open[12](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/assessing-progress-competition-bureaus-retail-grocery-recommendations).
## References
1. [Canada Needs More Grocery Competition, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/canada-needs-more-grocery-competition)
2. [Response from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre to the Market study of retail grocery consultation, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-public-interest-advocacy-centre-consultation-market-study-retail-grocery)
3. [Retail fees in the Canadian food industry, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada](https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/canadas-agriculture-sectors/sector-overviews-data-and-reports/retail-fees-issue-canadian-food-industry)
4. [Response from The Empire Company Limited and its subsidiary Sobeys Inc. to the Market study of retail grocery consultation, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-empire-company-limited-and-its-subsidiary-sobeys-inc-consultation-market-study-retail)
5. [RCC submission to the Market study of retail grocery, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/RCC-Market-Study-Submission.pdf)
6. [Competition Bureau advances investigations into Sobeys and Loblaw's use of property controls, Canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2024/06/competition-bureau-advances-investigations-into-sobeys-and-loblaws-use-of-property-controls.html)
7. [Canada's Grocery Giants, Competition Bureau Retail Grocery Market Study Report (June 2023)](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/CB-Retail-Grocery-Market-Study-Report-EN-2023-06-23.pdf)
8. [The Monthly Survey of Large Retailers - List of Retailers, Statistics Canada](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/statistical-programs/document/5027_D1_V10)
9. [Response from Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada to the Market study of retail grocery consultation, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/consultations/response-food-health-consumer-products-canada-consultation-market-study-retail-grocery)
10. [Loblaw submission to the Market study of retail grocery, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/Loblaw-Market-Study-Submission.pdf)
11. [Nuño-Ledesma et al. (2023), Canadian food inflation: International dynamics and local agency, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cjag.12341)
12. [Assessing progress on the Competition Bureau's retail grocery recommendations, Competition Bureau](https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/assessing-progress-competition-bureaus-retail-grocery-recommendations)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Food, customs, and everyday culture › Food, cooking and hospitality › Food industry, science, safety, and policy › Food industry, companies and commerce › Supermarkets, grocers, and food retail chains*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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