You may remember our post from the beginning of this month, which discussed Heinz’s exit from Leamington, Ontario and French’s subsequent entrance. Things were looking up for the small town in Southern Ontario as many local workers got their jobs back and support for local tomato producers increased.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. Just announced, Loblaws Canada will no longer offer French’s Ketchup on any of its stores’ shelves. For those who don’t know, Loblaws owns many banners including Superstore, Provigo, T&T, SaveEasy, SuperValu, Freshmart, No Frills, among many more which combine to represent 34.1% of the market share. The reason for the discontinuation is because of low demand for the ketchup and competition for high-demand shelf space.
What’s odd about Loblaw’s decision is that not only did it decide to remove French’s ketchup after a surge in sales but also because it came right after a promotion in their stores back in December which advertised two new flavours of French’s ketchup in Buffalo and garlic. The change in heart is quite sudden and contradictory to recent sales and media attention. This is a big blow to French’s and according to a statement by the company, “It is not our place to understand why [Loblaws] made this decision, but to say we are disappointed would be a huge understatement… .”
It’s unsure what will happen now that French’s Ketchup has lost such valuable shelf space at one of Canada’s biggest grocers, but perhaps this will force the company to rebrand and market itself as a Canadian product in order to increase the awareness of Canadian consumers.
Click here for more information about this news!
In a release Loblaw’s indicated that their own PC Ketchup is made in Canada. Just wondering if those tomatoes originate from Leammington or the paste from the factory there?
Apparently this has been since 2014 so its not a new occurrence, if something doesnt sell well then they take it off the shelves, thats just how it works. Frenchs isnt the only local/canadian ketchup out there.
Sure would be nice if Loblaws found its corporate heart to to find some space to help support the Leamington community. I bought the French brand just for that reason.
Loblaws doesn’t make it’s own ketchup. One of the big guys slaps a PC label on it. So it may be Leamington ketchup 🙂
Apparently the decision has been reversed.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/loblaw-backtracks-on-decision-to-pull-frenchs-ketchup-from-stores-after-uproar/article29246375/
I haven’t tried French’s ketchup yet. (Dont use ketchup a lot). But this news made me so mad that I will go out of my way to Walmart and buy French’s ketchup.
I am very disappointed at Loblaws decision. They could have just shrunk shelf space for French’s ketchup.
Loblaws is a Canadian company. They should be more open to Canadian companies.
I wanted to try the Heinz Ketchup and will go to any other store that carries that brand. No doubt while I am there may do my regular shopping. We should support Canadian products whenever we can.
Just read that they reversed their decision – because of customers speaking out!
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/ketchup-kerfuffle-loblaw-restock-stores-frenchs-ketchup-uproar-172226538.html?nhp=1
We’ve been using French’s for the past year, and it’s quite good.