Behind the feast: Creating a seamless Thanksgiving for Canadians

Potatoes, stuffing and cranberry, oh my! These are just some of the staples we provide to complete the traditional Thanksgiving spread for those who celebrate this holiday. Although delivering an epic meal is important for many, Thanksgiving is about so much more than helping customers serve up something delicious.

Did you know that we sell approximately 400,000 pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving every year?! And don’t even get us started on the turkeys, at a whopping 3-million!

Here are some of the many ways that we get ready for one of the busiest times of the year:

• Ramping up our inventory: We increase our orders for traditional items like turkeys, stuffing mix, cranberries, potatoes and baking supplies;

• Securing seasonal items: We source and stock up on seasonal items with limited availability like specific pumpkin varieties and unique herbs;

• Preparing for online orders: PC Express has their hands full on a regular day, so we know we need all hands on deck to help address any increased demand for online grocery orders and delivery services, as many people will opt for the convenience to avoid crowded stores;

• Seasonal displays and in-store signage: We love when our colleagues get creative when it comes to Thanksgiving-themed items to direct customers to what they need;

• Checking refrigeration and equipment: We make sure everything is in top working order to handle the increased volume of products on hand during this time;

• Partnering with local charities: In addition to our year-round food bank donations, customers may notice additional at-cash asks to support local food banks specifically during this time; and

• (Lastly, but most importantly) Preparing for the aftermath: We make sure our stores have a plan in place for the day after Thanksgiving, including restocking shelves, dealing with potential returns and managing leftover inventory.

We realize that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving in the same way or at all. Regardless, it’s our mission to provide a one-stop shop for customers no matter the occasion. From ingredients to tableware, homemade or ready-to-serve, we’ve got something for everyone.