Canada's food and pharmacy leader

The first Loblaw Groceterias store opens in Toronto

The new self-serve, cash-and-carry concept of grocery retailing is a big hit with customers, who take advantage of quality goods at lower prices.

Loblaw Groceterias expansion

Loblaw Groceterias expands throughout Ontario and into New York State, forming an American company headquartered in Buffalo.

Groceterias expands into Chicago, Illinois

With 69 stores, a new state-of-the-art Loblaw head office and warehouse is unveiled at Fleet and Bathurst streets, along today’s Lake Shore Boulevard, in Toronto.

Introducing market stores

Loblaw introduces its new “market stores,” with full-service meat and produce departments.

T. P. Loblaw, dubbed the “Merchant Prince” by the press, dies at age 60

After arriving in Toronto with only a few dollars in his pocket, he got a job in a grocery store. At this time Loblaw Groceterias included more than 150 stores.

Changing the store name

The name Loblaws^® appears on storefronts for the first time, replacing Loblaw

A succession

Shoppers Drug Mart^® Founder Murray Koffler succeeds his father and runs two Koffler’s drug stores in Toronto, Ontario

W. Garfield Weston acquires 100,000 shares of Loblaw stock

Grocery bag-wielding families begin appearing on the cover of Weston annual reports. By the early 1950s, George Weston Limited has controlling interest of Loblaw.

Loblaw brings innovation to its "super markets"

Stores roll out technology like air conditioning and automatic doors. In the 1950s, stores expand. Parking lots get bigger to welcome new, suburban-class shoppers.

Loblaw Companies Limited incorporates

The new company acquires Loblaw Groceterias in Ontario and Loblaw Inc. in the U.S. It also soon takes controlling interest in American grocery chain National Tea.

Loblaw's first loyalty program: Lucky Green Stamps

Customers save stamps they earn by shopping, then redeem them for gifts. The Loblaw Lucky Green Stamp Gift Catalogue is a mainstay in many homes.

First private-label products

Murray Koffler opens a 4,000 square-foot drug store at the Shoppers World plaza in Toronto. The company's first Life Brand^® products hit the shelves.

Shoppers Drug Mart^® expands in Ontario

Shoppers Drug Mart^® merges with Plaza Drug Stores. The deal brings the total number of Shoppers Drug Mart stores to 52 in Ontario.

Shoppers Drug Mart^® expands in the West

Shoppers Drug Mart^® enters the Western Canada market with the purchase of 87 Cunningham Drug Stores in British Columbia and Alberta.

W. Galen Weston named Chief Executive Officer

Amid price wars, Weston re-imagines Loblaw with redesigned stores and a new logo. Canadian actor William Shatner features in a new ad campaign.

First Pharmaprix^® store opens in Quebec

Shoppers Drug Mart^® continues its cross-country expansion, opening its first store in Quebec under the Pharmaprix^® banner.

The no name^® brand hits the shelves

The brand, with its unique packaging, matches the quality of national brands at a lower price. The no name brand features in the first no frills^® store in Toronto.

Dave Nichol's Insider's Report^® publication debuts

The flyer contains product reviews, cartoons and tongue-in-cheek commentary. It's a hit with shoppers. Some describe it as a mix of Mad Magazine and Consumer Reports.

The debut of President's Choice^® products

The new line quickly gains a following. Shoppers praise the quality and value of the products. Soon, the brand appears on everything from toasters to train sets.

PC^® Teddy is born

Dave Nichol pays top dollar for a designer teddy bear, which inspires a PC^® brand version. The PC^® Teddy is made with soft plush stuffing and offered at a great price.

Two firsts for Shoppers Drug Mart^®

Shoppers Drug Mart^® opens the first two 24-hour, full-service drug stores in Ontario. The same year, the company opens its first in-store Canada Post outlet.

The debut of an icon

The Decadent^® Chocolate Chip Cookie features butter and real chocolate chips. The cookie becomes the top PC product. With more than double the chips of the leading brand, it becomes Canada’s best selling cookie.

The first President's Choice G.R.E.E.N.^® products

This product line is for the growing number of Canadians who care about the environment. It includes more than 100 planet-friendly products.

Launch of the President's Choice Children's Charity

The charity makes life easier for kids who live with physical or developmental challenges. Every dollar donated goes straight to helping kids and their families.

Helping patients manage their health

Shoppers Drug Mart introduces HealthWATCH^®, setting a new standard of pharmacy care. The 500th Shoppers Drug Mart store opens.

Nutrition Facts added to the PC^® brand

The new labels come more than a decade before mandated by Health Canada.

Shoppers Drug Mart^® expands in Ontario

The company acquires 135 Big V drug stores in Ontario.

First Shoppers Home Health Care^® store

The Ontario-based store offers products for home care and assisted daily living. These include items like supports and braces, incontinence and ostomy products.

PC Financial^® launches

President's Choice Financial^® offers no hassle, no fee, full-service, in-store banking. At launch, one headline jokes "Dear, please pick up milk and a mortgage."

Loblaw acquires Provigo^®

Loblaw acquires Quebec-based Provigo^® grocery chain.

The Shoppers Optimum program launches

Program members earn points on almost every product they buy at Shoppers Drug Mart^® stores. Points are redeemed in store. After just one year, the program has six million members.

PC^® Organics debuts

The new line follows strict guidelines from the National Standard of Canada on Organic Agriculture. Products are certified by a third party.

Shoppers Drug Mart^® public offering

Shoppers Drug Mart^® Corporation is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Two firsts for Shoppers Drug Mart^®

Shoppers Drug Martᴹᴰ opens its first large-format store. The first Tree of Life^® campaign launches to raise money for local charities.

Launch of BeautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers^TM locations

Customers can shop for cosmetics and fragrances in a boutique-like setting. Shelves now include high-end brands once sold only in department and specialty stores.

PC^® Blue Menu^® line debuts

The launch includes more than 80 products to make healthy living easy. The packaging design showcases the nutritional benefits of each product.

Joe Fresh^® apparel business arrives

The clean, crisp, fashionable and affordable clothing line is designed by Joe Mimran, founder of Club Monaco. With the latest looks, the brand attracts attention.

Medisystem acquisition

Shoppers Drug Mart^® acquires Medisystem Technologies Inc. The company provides pharmacy products and services to long-term care homes.

Introducing the PC G.R.E.E.N.^® reusable shopping bag

The bag is made from 85% post-consumer recycled plastic. With weekly use, one bag diverts up to 100 plastic bags from landfill.

Shoppers Drug Mart^® celebrates 1000th store

The same year, the company introduces Simply Pharmacy, a small-format pharmacy located in medical buildings and clinics.

Loblaw's first Corporate Social Responsibility report

Loblaw documents its commitments in five areas: environment, sourcing, community, diversity and workplace.

Opening of flagship environmental store

The Ontario Superstore cuts refrigeration discharge by 85%. A first-of-its kind low-temperature system reduces carbon emissions by 15%.

Acquisition of the Health Access Division of Calea Ltd.

The acquisition creates Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network. The new division provides specialty drug distribution and patient support services.

Loblaw acquires T&T Supermarket

Loblaw takes a major step to better serve the country's largest growing customer group. T&T is Canada's leading Asian food retailer.

Empty seafood trays highlight at risk fish

Loblaw commits to offer 100% of seafood from sustainable sources by the end of 2013. Empty trays displayed at seafood counters identify fish at risk.

Debut of Shoppers Drug Mart WOMEN

The company focuses its giving and community investment in support of women's health -- body, mind and spirit.

Launch of PC^® black label collection

The collection brings shoppers the finest foods from around the world. Each product has a story to tell about where it's from, who produces it and why it was chosen.

Loblaws^® at Maple Leaf Gardens

The Canadian landmark is reborn as Food’s Greatest Stage^TM. Shoppers enjoy a new and exciting food shopping experience.

Introducing PC Plus^®

This digital loyalty program rewards members with offers on the food they love most. The program pays attention to what customers buy to create a customized experience.

Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is born

Choice REIT is created to optimize the value of Loblaw's real estate portfolio over time. At launch, the REIT's portfolio includes 435 properties.

Loblaw acquires Shoppers Drug Mart^®

The deal brings together two of the most recognized and trusted Canadian brands. With the country’s largest network of stores, customers will have more choice, value and convenience.

Launch of LOVE YOU by Shoppers^TM program

The program helps women make their health a priority through events like the LOVE YOU by Shoppers^TM run for Women event, Growing Women's Health and bi-annual beauty galas.

PC Optimum^TM launches

Loblaw brings together two of Canada's most popular loyalty programs. Members earn and redeem loyalty points across more than 2,400 Loblaw's stores and e-commerce sites.