On Friday, Loblaws Cos. said it would entertain offers for the sale of its gasoline business after a strategic review.
Based in Brampton, Ontario, the retailer said its gas bar network is one of the largest in Canada, with 212 retail fuel sites adjacent to Loblaws grocery stores.
The gas bars deliver stable cash flows, though the retailer believes that the right partner would further elevate the business and its value to customers.
“Our gas bars have contributed consistently to our bottom line and our offer to customers,” says Grant Froese, COO. “Customers appreciate the convenience of onsite fuel and the benefits of a loyalty program that links gas bar and grocery purchases. We anticipate that these benefits will continue regardless of whether the business is sold.”

The financial results of the Company for its year ended January 31, 2016 show a net loss of $216,566 or $0.01 per share compared to a net loss of $177,712 or $0.01 per share for the same period last year. Revenues for the year ended January 31, 2016 increased 94% to $123,767 (2015 – $63,916). The Company’s general and administrative expenses for the year ended January 31, 2016 increased to $304,560 (2015 – $217,452) primarily due to the Company’s efforts in expanding distribution, improving sales and developing a fifth product which launched into the market in May 2016.
The financial results of the Company for the three months ended January 31, 2016 show a net loss of $42,452 or $0.00 per share compared to a net loss of $48,369 or $0.00 per share for the same period last year. Revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2016 were $43,761 (2015 – $27,469).
Vitality products are available for sale in 275 retail stores located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Yukon. The retail stores include: Whole Foods, Choices, Nature’s Fare, Amaranth, Planet Organic, Nutter’s, Old Fashion Foods, Vita Health and Nature’s Emporium. A full list of the retailers is available at www.vitality.ca.
The Company’s audited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
On behalf of the Board of
VITALITY PRODUCTS INC.

For further information: W. Douglas Grant, President & CEO at (604) 683-6611 or info@vitality.ca

Nadiya Tiwari-Raphael has stepped up to take on the role of Canadian Channel Director at New Chapter, Inc.
Having spent that last few years working with the company as the strategic account executive, she is taking on the new role with pride. With a number of years of experience in the health industry and account and sales management, she brings forth a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Factors Group has announced a new Director of Education & Events, Peter Salvador. Having worked as the Factors Group’s Manager of Education and Events for over 12 years, he has taken on a senior role.
As a leader in the natural health products industry, Factors Group has grown considerably over the last few years.
Factors staff also includes a team of medical doctors, naturopathic physicians, researchers and herbalists.

Costco is starting to work directly with farmers by helping them by land and equipment to grow organic foods, according to a Seattle Times report.CEO Craig Jelinek touted the vast amounts food sold by Costco last year in a recent shareholder meeting. However, Jelinek told investors, “We cannot get enough organics to stay in business day in and day out.”
Getting creative, Costco has devised a plan to meet the growing demand for organic foods by:
– lending money to farmers, raising chickens at its poulty plant in Alabama
– working with a Mexican vendor to get wild shrimp
– contracting with Nebraskan farmers to raise cattle on organic fields
Currently, reports state that Costco is only working with one partner so far, Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce, but is looking to expand its initiative.
Organic food sales have grown from US$11.13 billion in 2004 to US$35.95 billion in 2014, according to the Organic Trade Association.
“Demand is increasing. But we’re not seeing the same level of farmland,” Angela Jagiello, a spokeswoman from OTA, said.

Walmart’s standalone Neighbourhood Markets could be introduced to Canada’s heated grocery battle, says a recent retail analyst conducted by Desjardins.
“We speculate Walmart Canada may test this concept in Canada within the next three years,” writes Keith Howlett, a Desjardins analyst, in a client note.
The stores have been successful in the U.S. market, seeing growth over 20 straight quarters. Walmart has seen a seven per cent increase in same-store sales in the most recent quarter.
The Neighbourhood Market stores are about a fifth of the size of the retailer’s supercentres and offer a full selection of grocery and pharmacy items at discount pricing.
This will be a new direction for the retailer, as they change strategies with their Walmart Express locations.
In Canada, grocers “continue to grapple with the growth of Walmart Canada in discount groceries, and the increasing appeal of Canada’s narrow selection of grocery product items to middle- and higher-income households,” Howlett writes.
Walmart has increased its market share in Canada. Same-store sales have grown by 4.6 per cent in the recent quarter, compared to 2.6 per cent at Loblaws, 2.7 per cent at Sobeys, and five per cent at Metro.

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) announced that Peter Hardwick, senior vice president commercial operations Canada and Caribbean, Apotex Inc., has been named Distinguished Associate of the Year 2016.
Regarded as a leader in Canada’s broader pharmacy industry, Hardwick has been instrumental in ensuring that the Canadian industry is exposed to a wide range of innovators, views, and experiences of those in other markets.
Before taking on his current responsibilities, Peter was Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at Apotex. He previously served with Mepha as Director of Marketing and with Syntex as a Sales Representative. Peter is a member of the Class of 1990 from Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, and he undertook further education at Ashridge Executive Education at the Hult International Business School in the United Kingdom.

The award will be presented at the Chairman’s Dinner, June 14, 2016, during Pharmacy EXPO 2016.

The Distinguished Associate of the Year award honours a Neighbourhood Pharmacies Associate in good standing who displays commitment to Association initiatives, committees or initiatives, and who contributes to the advancement of the community pharmacy industry.
For further information:
Allan McN. Austi
Director, Communications
aaustin@neighbourhoodpharmacies.ca
647 465 7596

Zorah biocosmétiques is a Canadian leader in organic skincare and organic cosmetics. They are seeking two full-time sales reps to join their team—one based in Vancouver and one based in Ontario. Sales reps will work with existing stores and expand their distribution throughout Ontario. Zorah offers a competitive salary, full benefits, a great work environment, and a chance to be a part of an industry-leading team.

If you:
have a minimum of three years’ experience in cosmetics representation;
have great customer service skills;
are autonomous and work well without supervision;
have sales experience and works with sales objectives;
like to give training and demos;
enjoys working in the natural health and beauty industry;
have a car

then you are our ideal candidate! Apply now to join the team.

Compensation: Salary plus commissions, including a monthly allowance for car expenses and company benefits.
Employment type: full-time

www.zorah.ca

Richard Francoeur
call: 1 (866) 977-5461