Ontario getting 27 new Loblaw stores and thousands of jobs in 2026

Loblaw Companies Limited is gearing up for a busy year as the company announced today that it will open dozens of new stores across the country, creating thousands of jobs.

Canada's largest grocery and pharmacy retailer said in a release that it will invest $2.4 billion into the Canadian economy in 2026.

The money will be used expand and renovate its store network across the country, improve its supply chain capabilities, and create over 9,000 jobs.

"Our success depends heavily on the strength of the communities we serve," said Per Bank, president and CEO of Loblaw Companies Limited, in a statement.

"We see this as a significant investment in our network and capabilities as one of Canada's largest retailers, but it is also an investment in the people we serve and their ability to access great value and quality healthcare. By helping Canadians live life well, our business gets stronger too."

The 70 stores set to open this year include 34 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, as well as 31 No Frills and Maxi stores. There will also be a renovation of nearly 200 additional stores.

Loblaw is continuing its work modernizing its supply chain, which includes the ongoing construction of a 1.2 million sq. ft. facility in Caledon, Ont.

In total, the company expects to create 9,700 retail and construction jobs across the country in 2026.

Ontario and B.C. will see the most new store openings this year — 27 and 24, respectively.

Shoppers in Quebec can expect 15 new stores to open in 2026, and four new stores are slated to begin operations in Atlantic Canada by the end of the year.

Loblaw’s announcement is part of its bigger plan to invest $10 billion by 2030. Currently, it owns over 2,400 stores across the country and has 190,000 full- and part-time employees.

According to the company, 90 per cent of Canadians live within 10 km of a Loblaw-owned store.

The company was recently recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People.

However, it has faced some recent controversies, including Real Canadian Superstore being fined after a federal investigation into its in-store displays found them to be misleading.

A No Frills shopper also recently called for greater transparency after she discovered that a sale item she purchased didn't show the original price on the digital price tag.