BRAMPTON — Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is increasing the number of new stores it plans to open this year. The company behind Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart says it now expects to open about 75 new locations this year, up from earlier plans for about 70. To date in 2026, Loblaw has opened 38 new grocery stores and pharmacies in Canada including 21 grocery stores and 17 Shoppers Drug Mart locations. The new stores are part of $2.4 billion in planned capital spending this year. Loblaw says it has spent about half of the total so far, with plans for the remaining money to include accelerating the opening of new stores, renovating existing locations and continuing to develop new store formats and concepts. Loblaw chief executive Per Bank says the performance of the new stores gives the company confidence in its expansion strategy and supports continued investment in the formats customers are choosing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 1, 2026.
