By Karen Johnson
TORONTO--Loblaw Cos. (L.T) said Wednesday it has slashed 275
management and administrative jobs, as the grocery giant seeks an
edge in the increasingly competitive Canadian market.
More than 200 of the jobs were trimmed from its Brampton,
Ontario head office, the company said.
"We are streamlining our organization to strengthen our
competitive position," Loblaw spokesman Robert Chant said in an
email. He said the move comes as Canada's leading grocer seeks to
become "a more agile company better prepared to compete in the
marketplace."
Mr. Chant said the job cuts, which come a year after 700 head
office employees were laid off, is unrelated to the company's
agreement to buy Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (SC.T) for 12.4 billion
Canadian dollars ($12 billion). That deal, announced this summer,
will give the 95-year-old Loblaw a greatly expanded footprint, and
a heavier presence in coveted urban markets.
Canadian grocers have been jostling for position, competing
against each other and vying for shoppers' attention as U.S.
discount giant Target Corp. (TGT) opens its first stores across
Canada.
Write to Karen Johnson at karen.johnson@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
