BRAMPTON, ONTARIO - In a $10 million rebranding project, Loblaw will be bringing its Save Easy locations throughout Atlantic Canada under its Your Independent Grocer banner.

Mark Boudreau, Director of Corporate Affairs, shared that in all, 41 Save Easy locations will be undergoing this conversion process: 13 in Nova Scotia, 20 in New Brunswick, 4 in Newfoundland, 4 in Labrador and 4 on Prince Edward Island.

“It’s an unprecedented investment and commitment by the franchisees and by Loblaw in these small rural communities,” Kirk Collicutt, Atlantic District Manager for Loblaw, told The Chronicle Herald. “The conversions will add to the quality of the shop and provide the retailer with a competitive advantage in the local market.”

Kirk explained that Loblaw will share the costs associated with this project with the Save Easy franchise owners, including expenses on renovations, equipment and new store fixtures. These costs are expected to range from $250,000 to $350,000 or more per store, depending on the age of the store in question.

According to The Chronicle Herald, a key part of this rebranding process will be increasing the fresh products and meat selection available in the former Save Easy stores. Loblaw is planning on keeping local ownership, management and staff unchanged at these locations throughout the project.

“This will allow operators and franchisees in different parts of the business to connect and share ideas and opportunities to grow their business and to better serve their customers,” Kirk explained. “The conversion and the renovation of the stores will give consumers the confidence that the local market stores will remain a viable part of their communities for the foreseeable future.”

With the completion of this project, Save Easy's network of stores will evolve from the smallest in Canada into the second-largest franchise chain operated by Loblaw.

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