Longo’s has announced that it will triple the size of its Grocery Gateway facility in a bid to meet rising demand for the service. The company, which delivers groceries, wine and beer to consumers, will be upsizing its warehouse from 50,000 square feet to 150,000 square feet.

The company has experienced speedy growth in the past few years, reaching double-digit percentage growth since the June relaunching of its website.

“Online grocery shopping has officially come of age in the Greater Toronto Area,” says Anthony Longo, president and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets. “We’re investing in our infrastructure to meet shopper demand. Our success builds upon consumer insights from nearly 20 years of online grocery delivery. These expanded facilities, increases in delivery vehicles – including energy efficient hybrids – and the newly redesigned Grocery Gateway site, makes it even easier and more convenient for shoppers to get all their groceries, wine and beer delivered.”

Currently, the facility stocks more than 10,000 frozen, grocery, refrigerated and produce items. The new renovation will allow inventory to expand to around 16,000 units.

This convenient, online service presents another challenge to independent retailers looking to attract customers. With Millennial consumers’ spending power on the rise, independents must strongly consider the ways in which they cater to this growing market. Whether it’s through e-commerce or novel service expansions, these retailers must consider adopting new, consumer-friendly ways of conducting business—before it’s too late.

This quarter, Walmart Canada marked its 10^th consecutive quarter of growth. The retail giant reported same-store sales growth of 1.1 per cent, propelled by a 0.2 per cent gain in customer traffic and a 0.9 per cent gain in average basket size at checkout.

Despite this, Walmart’s gains and market takeover are slowing down: according to the Financial Post, traditional Canadian grocers have strategically lowered their food prices in a bid to entice customers drawn to price cuts at discount chains like Walmart.

According to a news release, the company’s total quarterly revenue rose by 3.3 per cent.

Currently, Walmart Canada has 408 stores, around 325 of which contain a full discount grocery store.

“We view it as positive (for Canada’s other retailers) that same-store sales growth at Walmart Canada is slowing, and that the supercentre roll-out is about 90 per cent complete, assuming some stores will not be converted to supercentres,” retail analyst Keith Howlett of Desjardins Securities told Grocery Business. “Walmart Canada and Costco Canada have achieved significant market share in grocery in Canada. This has, in our view, put significant stress on conventional grocers.”

Howlett’s point is valid: with Walmart’s growth slowing, Canadian independents will have a much better chance at regaining lost market share. Consider revamping marketing techniques and offering deals where applicable to attract Walmart’s price-savvy shoppers.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an Enforcement Policy Statement on homeopathic products.

The agency now notes that it will hold efficacy and safety claims for over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic drugs to the same standard as other medicines. As such, any health-related claims these products make must be backed by scientific evidence.

“For the vast majority of OTC homeopathic drugs, the case for efficacy is based solely on traditional homeopathic theories and there are no valid studies using current scientific methods showing the product’s efficacy,” says the FTC. “Accordingly, marketing claims that such homeopathic products have a therapeutic effect lack a reasonable basis and are likely misleading in violation of Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act.”

As such, the organization now requires manufacturers of homeopathic medicines to put disclaimers on their products. In particular, these disclaimers must convey that:

• There is no scientific evidence that the product works; and
• The product’s claims are based only on theories of homeopathy from the 1700s that are not accepted by most modern medical experts.

This new development follows in the footsteps of Health Canada. As of July, the organization requires the manufacturers of homeopathic cough, cold and flu remedies to remove any labelling that suggests these products are appropriate for children 12 years of age or younger.

Industry professionals note that this new development reflects a power struggle between the FTC and FDA for control over the homeopathic market.

At this time, any Canadian manufacturers of homeopathic drugs that sell in the U.S. should check their labels to ensure that they are still suitable for the changing market.

With Ayurvedic medicine heating up in the Canadian market, now’s a great time to look into stocking and using ancient Indian ingredients with customers and patients. Neem, a tree local to India, has been used for centuries for its health-care advantages.

In Ayurvedic medicine, neem oil was therapeutically used as folk medicine to control leprosy, intestinal helminthiasis, respiratory disorders, and constipation. Its use for the treatment of rheumatism, chronic syphilitic sores, and indolent ulcers has also been evident. Additionally, the bark, leaf, root, flower and fruit work together to cure blood morbidity, biliary afflictions, itching, skin ulcers, burning sensations and pthysis.

Modern day consumers and patints, however, are more interested in its applications as a beauty product. Neem contains a wide variety of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antipyretic and antiseptic properties that are excellent when used in skincare products.

If you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or health-care practitioner looking to hop into the Ayurvedic market, neem is a great place to start. Mindful, health-conscious consumers will flock to its natural beauty-boosting properties.

Save-On-Foods opened the doors to three new stores in Winnipeg last Saturday, marking the Western Canadian grocery chain’s entrance into the city.

The Northgate location, which is 60,000 square feet, was tailor-made for the people of Winnipeg. The store includes a full traditional grocery featuring more than 6,000 products from around the world, along with the best selection of seafood in the city. The store also features a Starbucks, a frozen yogurt machine, and a wide selection of hot meals.

The Northgate location, the St. James store and the Bridgwater retailer all include a fresh butcher section, a pasta maker, a tortilla maker, and a wide selection of seafood.

“I know I speak for our entire team when I say I am thrilled with what Save-On-Foods has to offer the fantastic people of Winnipeg,” says president Darrell Jones. “Since we announced our expansion to Winnipeg last year, we’ve been working hard to tailor these three stores to their unique communities based on what our neighbours have told us they want, and we’re confident these stores will wow our new customers.”

The Canadian Trade Association (COTA) and Export Development Canada (EDC) will be hosting a joint webinar about international exports and the organic sector.

Speakers will include Tia Loftsgard, executive director at COTA, and Peter G. Hall, vice-president and chief economist at EDC. The webinar, held on December 8^th, 2016 will discuss export services, as well as some of the trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Invitation to the webinar will be circulated shortly, for more information contact Marie-Eve Levert at mlevert@ota.com.

McKesson Canada has announced the appointment of Paula Keays as president, effective immediately. In her new role, Keays will lead 4,000 employees and be responsible for McKesson’s distribution solutions offerings in Canada, including pharmaceutical distribution, pharmacy technology, specialty pharmacy and infusion, procurement, and independent retail banner solutions.

Keays, who will report to Paul C. Julian, executive vice president and group president, will be responsible for driving sales, marketing and operations for the business.

“I have worked alongside Paula for over 15 years, I’ve been impressed by her vision, drive, and commitment to operational excellence,” said Julian.  “Our customers, business partners and employees will be well served by her leadership style, deep understanding of health care and passion for customer service.”

Prior to this appointment, Keays served as McKesson Canada’s senior vice president, Pharmaceutical Distribution and Operations. In this position, she led one of McKesson Canada’s largest portfolios and was responsible for sales, marketing, and operations. Under Keays’ leadership, McKesson Canada successfully advanced its network optimization, which has helped deliver significant operational efficiencies and improvements to the overall business. She also drove the design and introduction of important sales and operations team initiatives which has enhanced customer service, strengthened business partnership and created shared success for customers across Canada.

Since joining McKesson in 2000, Keays has held increasingly senior positions, including vice president and corporate controller, vice president and chief financial officer, and senior vice president, chief financial officer and Six Sigma.

“I am honoured to be taking on my new role as president of McKesson Canada,” said Keays.  “Canada’s health care environment is becoming increasingly complex. Together with our people and our partners I’m looking forward to leading through an important moment in our history as we focus on our customers to deliver better value and patient care for Canadians from coast-to-coast.”

Until a new senior vice president, Pharmaceutical distribution and Operations is appointed, Keays will continue to oversee the operations of the Pharmaceutical distribution and Operations portfolio in addition to her responsibilities as president.

McKesson Canada partners with insurers, hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting.

Green Biologics, an industrial and biotech maker, will now sell its ingredients under two names. This action comes as the company hopes to market its products as sustainable alternatives to those made using fossil fuel.

The company will now sell its ingredients name under BioPure, which the company feels “encapsulates both the purity and sustainability of its biobased chemistry.” The company has also trademarked GreenInside, allowing for co-branding with its business partners.

With this, the company is pursuing opportunities in cosmetics, food ingredients, plasticizers, monomers and specialty solvents. Additionally, it is currently focused on selling n-butanol and acetone.