Loblaw to Invest $1.2 billion into Canadian business

Canadian food and pharmacy retailer Loblaw Companies, Ltd., said on Monday that it will invest more than $1.2 billion into its business this year, including adding more than 20,000 jobs.

The investment includes e-commerce expansion, construction projects for existing and new stores, and additional supply chain and IT organization projects. 

"While we continue to invest in the IT and infrastructure engines of our business, we're increasingly making investments that Canadians will see with their own eyes – improving our offer, adding stores and creating jobs locally," Galen G. Weston, executive chairman and president of the company, said.

Loblaw  is Canada’s biggest network of independently owned and corporate retail stores. It provides Canadians with pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, groceries, banking, general merchandise, and wireless mobile products and services.  Each store employs between 20 and 300 employees.

Loblaw currently employs approximately 192,000 employees through its corporate, franchised and associate-owned locations.  The added jobs will be in new store employee and construction workers. 

"True to our strategy, our investment will create better access to fresh food, wellness solutions closer to home, e-commerce convenience, and a family of stores that elevate grocery, pharmacy, apparel and banking experiences," Weston said.