Loblaw protects its sales

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES, $112.37, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 325.4 million; Market cap: $36.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.4%; www.loblaw.ca) operates 1,091 supermarkets under several banners, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. It also operates the Shoppers Drug Mart chain of 1,346 drugstores. Loblaw has now frozen the selling prices of over 1,500 of its no name private-label grocery products until January 31, 2023. The plan should help draw more shoppers to its stores, particularly after Statistics Canada reported that food prices climbed 11.4% in September 2022 compared to a year ago. Loblaw’s has also improved the quality of its no name foods in the past few years by eliminated artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners. It’s likely the price freeze will encourage more shoppers to try these products. Loblaw Cos. is a buy. buy…