Small business, big impact

We all love those big brands! You know…those items that can be found in any store around the world? Trusted tested, truly loved.

But more and more, we all have our small 'niche' favourites too. That fresh corn-on-the-cob picked at the fifth generation family farm down the street, the amazing frozen Ramen dish based on a family recipe produced by a new Canadian entrepreneur, and so much more. Doesn’t the local stuff really hit home?! That’s why we’re making it easier for small businesses to get products on our shelves and thrive!

The Loblaw Small Supplier Program launched on January 1, 2024. It was designed with input from our very own local product specialists to empower and support new and existing small suppliers, helping their businesses reach more customers through stores across our organization.

Ultimately, the goal of the program is to help us be the best retail partner in Canada for small suppliers.

Here’s how it works:

• Start strong – we're making it easier to get new products on our shelves by adjusting supply chain and listing programs and subsidizing certain retail industry fees.

• Time to grow – New products require time on shelf to build a solid customer base. All new products in the program will be on shelf for at least six-months.

• Faster payments – we pay our small suppliers within 7 days. This helps suppliers stabilize operations, fosters innovation and enables reinvestment.

• Help when they need it – we introduced a dedicated Small Supplier Office tasked with support and guidance to small suppliers.

To help the program succeed, our teams are also connecting in-person with as many of our small suppliers as possible. We’re visiting maple syrup and fish farms, local wineries and juice bars, from the Okanagan Valley to the Northumberland Strait – to listen, learn and help small businesses thrive.

Click here(Open in a new tab) to learn more about the Loblaw Supplier Program.