Some of you might have heard about this already. Metro Inc. will start changing most of its grocery stores’ names to Metro to help make it easier and more economical for them to brand and market the stores. Once the transformation is complete by the end of 2009 Metro will become the most common supermarket name in Canada, boasting 376 stores in Quebec and Ontario. The only banner not included in the change is Food Basics, which competes in the discount food segment of the grocery market.
To Quebecers that’s good news since they’ve always had Metro grocery stores (which I find are ridiculously overpriced – but that applies to all grocery stores in Quebec). It will be nice for Quebecers to see Quebec’s grocery store brand spread all across Ontario.
I personally have mixed feelings about this. Although they’re now owned by Metro Inc, A&P grocery stores have been around for almost a century and were operated by the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. On August 15, 2005, A&P sold A&P Canada and Food Basics Canada to Metro Inc. of Quebec. I guess Metro waited for a few years before going with the name change to avoid getting too much attention to the handover. It’s just sad seeing another well known and historic name in Ontario vanish. A&P, although originally American, did leave its finger prints in Canada. On the other hand, I find current A&P and Dominion stores are pricier than Loblaws. The stores also seem to have an infamous reputation so it’s nice seeing some fresh blood and change. I just hope the change doesn’t mean crummy cramped aisles and ugly store designs like the Metros currently in Quebec.
Why do I bring this up today? Well Metro Inc. has started changing the name of grocery stores from Dominion to Metro in Toronto and probably other Ontario cities too.
In Burlington it seemed to happen over night
this happened in toronto well over 2 months ago!!!!
bitemehag, maybe at certain branches only.
E.g. College & Crawford location is only changing now:
http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2008/11/metro_eyesore/
And I know for sure that in Eastern Ontario the name change hasn’t taken place yet.
And they are not “Fresh obsessed” anymore. With chanching the name they also have chanched their policy, so no more fresh products if you find an expired one.
Sorry changing and change :)))
Does this mean the airmiles program at A&P will be discontinued?
Many years ago while living in Montreal, I was saddened to see Dominion change all their names to Provigo.
It was a pleasure to once again see the Dominion name when I moved to Toronto 15 years ago.
Now I’m saddened to see it go again 🙁
I’ll have to disagree with you about prices being higher in Québec.. I live in Gatineau and shop on both sides: Ontario and Québec. It depends what you are buying but some things are more expensive on the Qc side and other on the Ont side. This being said, I have to agree with you – Metro are more expensive than the others supermarkets. I never shop there – cannot afford it 🙂
I live in Montreal and my local Metro supermarket recently underwent renovations and became a “Metro Extra”. I absolutely love it.
The items on sale are always in stock, the store is clean, they always have lots of cashes open so there’s never a long wait to pay.
Their specials are usually very good, but I agree that some of their regular prices are more expensive than other places. If I only need to pick up one or two things I will often go to my local Metro because it’s so easy as opposed to the lower priced store nearby which never has the specials in stock and always has huge lineups at the cash.
I find Metro WAY overpriced. Sometimes their sale prices are regular prices at other stores. Once I saw broccoli on SALE for $1.99. That’s no sale. I now go to NoFrills or Price Chopper and wish I did that earlier as I save about $45 each time I go.
No Frills is the cheapest when it comes to grocery prices. Better than Food Basics, Price Chopper and Walmart.
I too live here in Montreal, Quebec and yes they are more pricey than others like “Super C”(Owned and operated by them!) The staff is more concerned talking amongst themselves than offering direct service and unlike Super C whereas the cashier refunds you imediately for each permanent bag you bring, Metro you have to ask for it $0.05. Most cashiers didn’t even know about the policy and had to call management. The Extra added to their name hasn’t done much except revamp the place and raise prices. Lineups can be deplorable on different days and at different times then you get to the cashier and have to bag your own stuff as there is not enough bag persons. Super C – you bag your own stuff but save on everything. The only problem is the distance to travel to it. Being Frugal I have to shop around and get my groceries at 3 different places(Seriously!) So all this to say I feel for you guys loosing out to this mega chain. Good luck to you’s! 🙁
Just to let you know – Went to Metro yesterday and bought Friskies canned cat food at $1.09. Went to Metro this evening…it was $1.19!!! Popped over to Super C – same can was $0.99. A brick of Tofu $1.99 at Super C – Metro $2.29 !!!
I truly cannot give Metro any merit. I now go just for their sale items or with coupons.
I usually equate the name Dominion as a supermarket with groceries that are fresh and high quality. I have sometimes paid 50% to double of what it usually costs at other grocery stores because I love to eat the best and am willing to pay extra for it. I can’t say the same for the name Metro, so I will take my business elsewhere.
We’ve had the name changed in Burlington for a while now i think.
Our Loeb store in Kanata (west of Ottawa) has been under renovations for the past several weeks, and just a couple of days ago, they tore down the sign out front and replaced it with a big “Metro” sign. Guess what… crummy cramped aisles and an ugly new store design. What genius thought people were itching to play bumper-carts in narrow store aisles, just to pick up a few things on their way home from work? The shelves are taller, closer together, but don’t seem to have any new or better selection than they ever did. I miss my old store already. 🙁
MY FATHER WORKED SO HARD FOR DOMINION STORES. HE WAS THERE FOR OVER 30YRS. WE WERE DEVOTED TO ALWAYS SHOP ‘DOMINION’.
AFTER WHAT CONRAD BLACK DID TO MY FATHERS PENSION. WE WILL SHOP ANYWHERE BUT, WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO CALL YOUR STORE. GUESS IT LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH!.
I ENJOY SHOPPING AT SOBEYS, ZEHRS, AND ELSEWHERE.
I think metro sud have valet service for customers 50 years old and older parkig is very difficult to find in any mall and this will be a wonderful service, especially in inclement weather. If your car is delivered to the front door it wud be easier for customers to load their groceries into the car rather than having to push the buggies. this will bring in many more customers and they will tell others of the of how metro makes shopping convenient and thoughtful metro is.
Well even the new metro is filled with stale and expired products. I found what appeared to be fecal matter in on my pizza bun. I recommend shopping at a store who takes pride in quality like Sobbeys.
I love Zehrs
People throw up in the aisles after eating me
ATTENTION: Any messages sent by “gayZehrscashier” and “Shopper JEFF D” are not true!!!!
However, The comment in regard about the People throw up in the aisle after eating should read Meat. Buy Meat at Loblaws/Zehrs/Superstore and the meat is CRAP!
– BIG K
i am very sad to see our beloved a&p leave our small town of trenton on. i have been working there for 5 years now, and grew up with the a&p name. im hoping that metro does not destroy the good things about our store, the friendly atmosphere and good food. however there are many things that can be ubdated and i hope that becoming a metro is a good thing as we all need a little change. got my fingers crossed!
updated**
At first I was dissapointed to see the Metro Stores instead of Dominion, in my area, but now am thankful for them, as the Superstore we were going to is convenient, BUT, from what I have seen, I would prefer Metro, and paying a bit extra and knowing my food is safe to eat. They are also much friendlier at Metro.
They changed the A&P to Metro I think maybe a year ago now in my town.
In Hamilton, Metro took over The Barn Markets about 3-6 months ago.. I personally HATE that store. Over priced items and narrow isles. I dont shop there if I dont have to.. And the great thing about where the East Mountain Metro is Located.. Its across the street from a Price Chopper..
They still use the Airmiles cards.. I think that is the only reason I do go there.. And thats only once in a while when I know I dont have time to hit the other store before running home and starting dinner or what not..
Personally, Id rather shop Price Chopper, Food Basics or No Frills.. Better prices and almost the same products
Metro is great!
Hey fellow Canuck shoppers! I lived in Ontario for 26 years but have been living in the UK for the past 11. If you ever come to Britain for a visit, just go into a Tesco,Asda,or Morrison’s and witness the thronging 24/7 crowds and you’ll be on the next available plane back to Canada so fast! Seriously overcrowded and mind bogglingly manic. Never a pleasure to shop – just a struggling chore to cope! Even battling for a parking space is Soul destroying….. and you haven’t STARTED shopping yet – or should I say “coping”:( So ANY canadian supermarket would be just fine for me!
Amanda, why would you admit to being from Hamitilton? The city is a toilet and nowhere to be proud if. P.s. It’s an escarpment not a mountain genious.
Hamilton****
Metro is overpriced and their staff are bitchy and rude and act like they have prestigious jobs. They make a few more than minimum wage and treat customers like sh*t. but that might just be because I visited one in Hamilton and everything in that city is terrible and ugly
I live a 2 minute walk from a Metro store and although that is quite convenient for me and they are open 24 hours , I only shop there when they have an item on sale I want and I only buy the item and leave.
For me No Frills is the place to shop and although they are a little farther away they are much cheaper in over all food prices.
Oceans is up the street and cheaper and they don’t charge for their bags.
Metro being a short walk does not compel me to shop there because they are simply too pricey on everything.