History

Locally operated and proudly Canadian Thrifty Foods, a banner of Sobeys Inc., has a total of 27 retail grocery stores serving you in communities across the Lower Mainland and throughout Vancouver Island.

Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians for 104 years. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX:EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,300 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, and Thrifty Foods, as well as Lawton's Drug Stores. Sobeys and its franchise affiliates employ more than 95,000 people. The company's goal is to be widely recognized as the best food retailer and workplace environment in Canada. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.

2011

Thisfish Seafood Traceability Program Launched

A unique fish tagging system, thisfish.info, is launched in partnership with Vancouver-based non-profit Ecotrust Canada. The program helps customers trace certain species of fish from shore to door.

Jim Dores Appointed President of Thrifty Foods

A grocery industry veteran, Jim Dores brings 35 years of experience to Thrifty Foods along with his desire to create a personalized shopping experience and a connection with his community.

2010

Sobeys Announces a 150,000 sq ft Distribution Centre near the Victoria International Airport Authority

Sobeys Inc. announces the development of a $31-million distribution centre on 19 acres of land owned by the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA). Construction of the 150,000 square foot facility began in mid-2011 and will be operational by late 2012.

First Metro Vancouver Store opens in North Vancouver

The Thrifty Foods North Vancouver store represents the sixth location on the Lower Mainland and the twenty-sixth for the organization since 1977.

Thrifty Foods' Nutrition for You Program Wins Regional Award

Thrifty Foods sponsored nutrition program Nutrition for You receives annual Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award for our support of Canadians in their quest to eat healthier and be more active.

2009

Ocean Wise™ Partners with Thrifty Foods

As one of the largest companies to sign on to Ocean Wise, Thrifty Foods is proud to offer our customers a growing selection of sustainable, delicious Ocean Wise-approved seafood options. Ocean Wise is a Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.

Club Thrifty Foods Points Program Launched

To make shopping at Thrifty Foods even more rewarding, Club Thrifty Foods card holders receive 1 point for every whole dollar spent. Club members redeem points for instant savings on their grocery bill right at the till, or for gifts and merchandise from our online rewards catalogue. Some restrictions apply.

2008

New Surrey Retail Support Centre Opens

The Surrey Retail Support Centre delivers its first produce order to our stores.

First Energy Efficient Store Opens in Port Moody

Thrifty Foods signs on to BC Hydro's New Construction Program and, through this collaborative partnership, builds energy conservation features in the Suter Brook Village store in Port Moody. Today, this store uses 15% to 30% less energy than a conventional grocery store.

Food for Families Campaign Launched to Provide Fresh Food to Food Banks Across BC

As part of the Food For Families program, shoppers are able to purchase $5, $10 or $20 coupons at the till twice a year - at Christmas and around Canada Day. Thrifty Foods donates all of the funds to seventeen local area food banks located on Vancouver Island and throughout the Lower Mainland.

2007

Thrifty Foods Announces the Sale of the Company to Sobeys Inc.; Co-founder Alex A. Campbell Remains as Chairman Emeritus

After 30 years in the business, Thrifty Foods needed a significant amount of capital to remain the market leader in an increasingly competitive environment. In 2007, Thrifty Foods was sold to Sobeys Inc. Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,300 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, and Thrifty Foods, as well as Lawton's Drug Stores. With more than 95,000 employees and affiliates, Sobeys goal is to be widely recognized as the best food retailer and workplace environment in Canada.

Thrifty Foods Celebrates 30 Years in Business

2006

First Carbon Neutral Store Opens in Coquitlam

Thrifty Foods takes an innovative step towards diminishing its carbon footprint by partnering with Tree Canada to open its 20th store in Coquitlam. Thrifty Foods plants 1,776 trees in Manning Provincial Park and Colony Farm Regional Park. This was enough trees to balance the carbon emissions generated by the store in a year.

2005

Thrifty Foods Partners with Power Smart

Thrifty Foods teams with BC Hydro to implement a range of Power Smart projects across many of its stores.

Thrifty Foods launches FRESH Magazine in stores

A seasonal magazine that celebrates all that is food, FRESH magazine arrives in stores quarterly.

2004

Smile Card Program Fundraiser Launched to Help Community

Thrifty Foods launches its unique Smile Card program and provides qualifying organizations witGift Cardsh 5% cash back on each card user's grocery purchases.

Personalized Online Shopping Service Launched

Customers are now able to shop online from the comfort of their own home to purchase over 10,000 Thrifty Foods products. An in-store personal shopper completes the order and, when required, arranges in-store or home delivery.

2003

Milford Sorensen Appointed President of Thrifty Foods

Milford Sorensen - a veteran grocery retailer with over 30 years of experience working for Dominion Stores, Atlantic Wholesalers Ltd., and Calgary Co-op - takes the helm of Thrifty Foods. As President, Milford "grows the business to improve shareholder value while nurturing and continuing the unique Thrifty Foods culture that has shaped this company's success".

Thrifty Foods Named One of Canada's Best Managed Companies

Out of thousands of applicants, Thrifty Foods qualifies as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies.

2002

Thrifty Kitchens Opens in a Brand New 20,000 sq ft Food Production Facility

Having been in operation for over 20 years, Thrifty Kitchens expands to a new state-of-the-art food production centre. Thrifty Kitchens creates ready-to-eat, fresh food meal offerings for busy shoppers on the go.

1992

Thrifty Foods Expands to a Total of 9 Stores on Southern Vancouver Island

Thrifty Foods is now open in Fairfield (1977), Quadra (1980), Mill Bay (1983), Sidney (1984), James Bay (1986), Port Place Nanaimo (1988), Colwood (1990), Broadmead (1991), Parksville (1992). Thrifty Foods remains committed to focusing on the essentials: great products, customer-friendly service, community involvement, and treating employees with respect.

1991

Alex Campbell Assumes the Role of President

After 14 years in business together, the founders of Thrifty Foods -- Alex Campbell and Ernie Skinner -- part amicably and Alex assumes the role of President of Thrifty Foods.

First Organic Food Section Opens at Thrifty Foods Broadmead Location

Thrifty Foods begins to carry what will become the largest selection of Certified Organic products, including over 70 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables of any grocery chain in British Columbia. Today, we carry over hundreds of organic grocery items throughout our stores, including a variety of organic cheeses.

1987

Shopping and Delivery Service for Seniors -- Sendial -- Launches in Fairfield

Thrifty Foods customer Prue Cunningham initiates a program to help seniors and shut-ins maintain their independence by enabling them to order their groceries via phone and have them delivered to their homes. Sendial is carried out by community-based volunteers who take orders and shop for fresh food, which is then delivered to those in need by our friendly Thrifty Foods drivers.

1983

First franchise opens in Mill Bay

1977

The First Thrifty Foods Opens in Victoria's Fairfield Community

Alex Campbell, in conjunction with friend and business colleague Ernie Skinner, open the first Thrifty Foods store located in Victoria's Fairfield community.

1973

Alex Campbell moves back to Vancouver Island (having grown up in Victoria) to open the 49th Parallel Grocery in Ladysmith

1950's

Entering the grocery industry in 1956 as a young student, Alex A. Campbell works his way up to become District Manager for Shop Easy stores in Vancouver.

"When I was 15 years old going to school, working in the supermarket was the best job you could have; it was the best pay and relatively clean, and there were lots of opportunities to meet people, you know, fellow employees and customers. When I started I was a pretty shy kind of kid, but you're going to have to get away from that to deal with customers, and so I think it certainly helped me in my personal development at that stage in my life. It was hard work but it was fun and we enjoyed it. We did all the jobs from cleaning washrooms to the front end service to managing departments and that sort of thing" - Alex A Campbell

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