Grocery Stores

[Spokes]

I think Sobey's already tries to position themselves as a more premium option; I guess Farm Boy fits that even more so.

I suppose most people in this forum have been to a Farm Boy by now, but the best description (from U.S. media) I ever saw was that it's a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.  It is not out of line in terms of prices, although it is a bit higher than Loblaws or Sobeys.  I've never thought of Sobeys as "premium", however.

That's actually a perfect description

[tomh009]

I think Sobey's already tries to position themselves as a more premium option; I guess Farm Boy fits that even more so.

I suppose most people in this forum have been to a Farm Boy by now, but the best description (from U.S. media) I ever saw was that it's a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.  It is not out of line in terms of prices, although it is a bit higher than Loblaws or Sobeys.  I've never thought of Sobeys as "premium", however.

Sobeys (annoyingly they have no apostrophe in the name) is really a mainstream supermarket, similar to Zehrs or Loblaws. Both chains have multiple downmarket options.

I'd kill for a Trader Joe's to move into Eaton Lofts though! Sadly they don't have any announced plans to expand to Canada.

[tomh009]

I think Sobey's already tries to position themselves as a more premium option; I guess Farm Boy fits that even more so.

I suppose most people in this forum have been to a Farm Boy by now, but the best description (from U.S. media) I ever saw was that it's a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.  It is not out of line in terms of prices, although it is a bit higher than Loblaws or Sobeys.  I've never thought of Sobeys as "premium", however.

Sobeys (annoyingly they have no apostrophe in the name) is really a mainstream supermarket, similar to Zehrs or Loblaws. Both chains have multiple downmarket options.

I'd kill for a Trader Joe's to move into Eaton Lofts though! Sadly they don't have any announced plans to expand to Canada.

[KevinL]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

And the lack of apostrophe is, as always in this country, due to Quebec language law.

[Spokes]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

And the lack of apostrophe is, as always in this country, due to Quebec language law.

What?!?  Go on...

[ijmorlan]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

And the lack of apostrophe is, as always in this country, due to Quebec language law.

What?!?  Go on...

“Eaton’s” is English. The French equivalent would be something like “Chez Eaton”, but just the name itself is also apparently acceptable under the signage law.

If I recall correctly, in Québec their stores said “Eaton”, whereas in Ontario and elsewhere they said “Eaton’s”.

Since Zehr’s is only in Ontario, I don’t think the Quebec language law has anything to do with it.

For chains which operate both in and out of Québec, I can believe that they would want to have a single visual appearance country-wide, and may well decide to drop the apostrophe everywhere in order to be OK in Québec.

[KevinL]

Yes, exactly. Another example: Tim Hortons no longer uses an apostrophe.

[tomh009]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

I think that really depends on the individual store, there are examples in both directions. The Zehrs at University/Lincoln is certainly not fabulous, but then neither is the Sobeys at Highland/Belmont.

[jgsz]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

And the lack of apostrophe is, as always in this country, due to Quebec language law.

I'm so glad you didn't write "due to Quebecs language law."  Très diplomatique.  

[timc]

While Sobeys and Tim Hortons may have dropped the apostrophe due to language laws, it is also possible that it is just good marketing. Apostrophes have been or are being dropped from brands everywhere, not just in Canada.

[MacBerry]

Sobeys is a titch more upstream than Zehrs, in my opinion, but only just.

And the lack of apostrophe is, as always in this country, due to Quebec language law.

Long before Quebec language laws >  

Or ... the fact that Sobeys was an early 20th century market store name, a brand name, not a family possessive ownership noun used now and by Empire Company (the Owner).

The same happens to be true with all Loblaws stores which are owned at first length by "Loblaw" and wholly by George Weston Ltd.

 Zehrmart Inc. (doing business as Zehrs Markets or simply Zehrs) is what it is as known now a Loblaw company although it originally was Zehrs Markets in the 60s and 70s

[KevinL]

In the same building? I think so.

[timio]

I would think Hiway Centre.

[neonjoe]

I would think Hiway Centre.

Highway Centre was Highway Market, which closed in 1987. Stanley Park Zehrs (Zehr's) has been in that location since the building was built in the late '60s.

Stanley Park Zehrs was rebuilt with the added parking garage under it in the 90s

[robdrimmie]

Highway Centre was Highway Market, which closed in 1987. Stanley Park Zehrs (Zehr's) has been in that location since the building was built in the late '60s.

Stanley Park Zehrs was rebuilt with the added parking garage under it in the 90s

Was Highway Market owned by Loblaws?