Canada's grocery business is controlled by large players and needs government assistance to encourage new entrants to bring down prices, a report from the Competition Bureau says.
To that end, the bureau recommended four broad policies aimed at spurring competition in the sector. They are:
To establish a Grocery Innovation Strategy aimed at supporting the creation of new types of grocery businesses, specifically ones that only sell online.
Policies from all levels of government to encourage new independent and international players to set up shop in Canada.
Introducing legislation to mandate harmonized unit pricing requirements, which will make it easier for consumers to comparison-shop for deals.
Limit property controls, which currently restrict how real estate can be used by competing grocers, making it difficult, or even impossible, for new stores to open.
I really, really hope that if these suggestions are taken up, they carve out exceptions for local Co-op's, especially in respect to the harmonized unit pricing requirements.
My advice is that if you don't know if you have a local food Co-op go find out! Just Google your city name + food co-op. And if you have never shopped at a co-op before, give it a try. It combines the convenience of grocery stores with the locality of farmers markets. You'll be able to buy local produce and meats, and a lot of co-ops stock many brand name things as well so you can do everything in one shopping trip.
Typically the prices are comparable (and often less).
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