Two decades after opening its first store in Canada, Walmart started opening its first Québec’s “Supercentre” in 2011, which include a quite large grocery store (source: Les Affaires). Since then, its network of Supercentre store has grown steadily, attaining today 53 Supercentres out of a total of 71 Walmart stores, a ratio that continues to grow.
The Supercentres have an impressive food section including fruits and vegetables, meat counters, deli meats, bakeries, and take-out food. They include both goods normally available in Walmart and a full grocery store (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and bakery). They are recognizable by their two distinct entrances. However once inside, no wall separates the food (20% of the space) from the general merchandise (80%).
This expansion, coupled with the arrival of Costco, has put great pressure on the three large Quebec food chains (Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro), given the slow growth of the population. “Their profit margins have been shaken. It is not that we are looking for a price war, it is our mission [to have low prices],” says Chantal Glenisson, who observes “more aggressiveness in circulars” and “more loyalty cards” (source: La Presse).
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Corporate Profile
| Name: | Walmart |
|---|---|
| Ranking (chains): | 13th of 20 |
| Number of stores (Supercentre only): | 53 |
| Description: | Worldwide chain of discount supermarket stores. |
| Foundation date: | 1950 by Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. |
| Number of employees: | 2.3 million across the world |
| Main Executive: | Doug McMillon, président et chef de la direction |
| Head Office: | Bentonville, Arkansas |
| Website: | Walmart Canada |