Up to 40 custom-tailored neighbourhood stores for Manitoba and Saskatchewan communities over next five years
Save-On-Foods – Canada’s largest western-based grocery retailer – has announced its future expansion plans into Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba. The undertaking will ultimately create thousands of new jobs for the province.
In 2016, the company will open stores at Northgate Shopping Centre, St. James Station and at the Bridgwater Forest townsite. Save-On-Foods is also announcing today it will open stores in Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Moose Jaw. It plans to open the first seven stores in 2016, with the first grand opening expected to take place in Saskatchewan in spring. In all, 40 stores are planned to open in the next three to five years in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, creating over 4,000 jobs.
The stores will be a combination of existing buildings and new construction, and will range from 40,000 to 65,000 square feet on average, depending on the market.
“We’re very excited to be here today to meet our new neighbours in Winnipeg,” says Save- On-Foods president Darrell Jones. “For us, as we start construction, it is as much about building relationships with the community as it is about the building of the store itself. We have a commitment to customizing our locations to best suit the needs of each neighbourhood we’re in. What better way to find out what that means to residents than to come and ask them first hand.”
“Manitobans know steady growth and good jobs are important to the well-being of our province,” said Minister David Chomiak. “Having grocery retail operations expand in Manitoba means more jobs and more variety for consumers. We’re excited Canadian companies are growing their operations right here in our vibrant city.”
“Save-On-Foods is not just a grocer, it’s a community member and neighbour,” said City of Winnipeg Councillor Devi Sharma of Old Kildonan Ward. “As soon as I learned the news that the company would be opening a store in north Winnipeg I did my research. I was and am delighted to learn that families will benefit from the presence of a well-established grocer that proves it cares about the people it serves through innovative food bank initiatives, foodprovider partnerships and by offering local products on its shelves.”
As part of today’s announcement, Save-On-Foods invited Winnipeg Harvest Executive Director David Northcott to complete the city’s first online grocery order, which was delivered today by Save-On-Foods from BC’s west coast.
“We look forward to our new relationship with Save-On Foods and their generous commitment to help us feed hungry families each month,” said David Northcott, Executive Director, Winnipeg Harvest. “They are a powerful example of a company that truly gets involved with the community and are pillars across the country for their dedication to food banks. Thank you Save-On Foods for your efforts in helping alleviate hunger, and creating hope with new jobs in our community.”
“Finding unique ways to partner with our communities and provide creative solutions to peoples’ needs is what we’re all about,” said Jones. “Bringing Fresh Ideas like on-line solutions to customers here is one more way we’ll deliver what customers want, they want they want it, in Winnipeg. We can’t wait to get started!”
Photos by Thomas Fricke and Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal
