Empire Company Limited is one of Canada's largest food retailers, operating a comprehensive network of supermarkets, discount grocery stores, and convenience stores. The company's business model is divided into two main segments: Food Retailing and Investments and Other Operations. The Food Retailing segment, which generates the vast majority of the company's approximately $31 billion in annual revenue, is operated through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sobeys Inc. This segment encompasses over 1,500 retail locations across all ten Canadian provinces, featuring full-service banners like Sobeys, Safeway, and IGA, discount banners such as FreshCo, and regional or specialty brands including Farm Boy, Longo's, Thrifty Foods, and Lawtons Drugs. The company also operates grocery e-commerce platforms like Voilà and manages around 350 retail fuel locations.
The Investments and Other Operations segment primarily consists of Empire's 41.5% equity accounted interest in Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust (Crombie REIT), an open-ended real estate investment trust that owns and manages a portfolio of commercial properties, many of which are anchored by Empire's grocery stores. Empire's competitive position is strengthened by its multi-format retail strategy, extensive national footprint, and integrated supply chain, allowing it to cater to diverse consumer demographics and shopping preferences across Canada. The company's dual focus on full-service and discount grocery formats enables it to capture a broad share of the Canadian food retail market.
