Loblaws Buying SDM

[pippinelkhound]

RCSS is one of the cheapest chains out west. Ever seen the prices in our Safeways, Sobey's, and SaveOns? As it is we cherry pick groceries in my family. We have no real brand loyalty. What does interest me is the fact SDM goes RBC and RCSS goes CIBC for banking. Two different products, visa/mastercard.

[toban]

I really hope the Optimum programs stay around. I like collecting points and redeeming them not only for groceries, but also for prestige cosmetics. Normally I don't buy a lot of cosmetics, especially high end, however redeeming points helps in those purchases. Especially wonderful are the big redemption days.

[anisa]

sdm and loblaws are so different from each other, it is going to be interesting seeing how they shnge SDM to make it mesh with the other loblaws chains.

my guess is that when PC points will overtake optimum, the prices will come down at SDM

[acosta]

It was announced on the radio today that Optimum points will remain - Toronto country station

Who knows for how long but that was what I heard around 9 am this morning.

[cath007]

Maybe we will have in QC better deals and sales altrought Pharmaprix sell food products but not fresh ones.I would expect sticker on food like SDM brag posted.That would be awesome for us

[krazytwacy]

It was announced on the radio today that Optimum points will remain - Toronto country station

Who knows for how long but that was what I heard around 9 am this morning.

I don't believe them. I think they want to keep you shopping.

[pippinelkhound]

Maybe we will have in QC better deals and sales altrought Pharmaprix sell food products but not fresh ones.I would expect sticker on food like SDM brag posted.That would be awesome for us

Not all SDM's deep discount things out west. 4L milk? Usually $4.59 or with a special email coupon $1 off. Eggs 1.99- 2.29. Butter 2.99 or 3.29 on the specials week. It's just not that cheap.

[torontogal12]

Offering 10% off $200 thresholds...they might as well offer nothing, in my case lol. I usually spend $50 or less. Can't imagine even spending more than $100 per week

I just dug that baby out of the garbage, they had:

$20 GC WUB $200 July 5/6 (10%)
Tide 1.47L (the smallest one is 1.18L so this is the middle size) WUB $100 July 5-11 (ARV $9.39 --> 9.39%...but you can probably pick this up on sale for $6.99 --> 7%)

The margin on all the grocery items in a bag, box or can is very slim, but the premium stuff (deli, to go, produce, bakery) has much higher margins. I don't think they will be as generous as SDM, but I think they have enough of a profit margin to offer 10%, for sure.

[r0c0upons]

I'd love to see loblaws stores adopt the optimum program and let me use my optimum card on produce at the grocery store :-D

[oscarandme]

Yuk!! Just finally convinced DH that SDM is worth shopping at. I will follow you all as far as advice.

[tjthemanto]

I see some lay offs happening

[louie11]

I was pretty unhappy to hear the news. While the Optimum program won't likely change for awhile, I fear the future of the program will be quite different. Shoppers has a very unusual business model with Optimum and I wonder what Loblaws will do with it.

It seems like the trend generally is the devaluation of the benefits of loyalty programs like Air Canada, Hilton Honours and other hotel programs.

I agree about the layoffs. They have to justify the share premium.

Not sure if its like this anywhere else in Canada, but the two Loblaws stores near me in Toronto are terribly managed. So much expired food, empty shelves, poor produce selection and quality. What's happening?

[torontogal12]

I see some lay offs happening

I don't think so. They're keeping the SDM stores so they can have a foothold on every streetcorner. They'll need to staff those stores

[lecale]

.

[vesper]

I doubt the purchase will have a negative affect on shoppers. If SDM starts to screw around.... Rexall will adjust to attract those customers.

I reckon SDM wants to keep, and expand its market share!