How Loblaw inspires anger, boycott

Published: May 6, 2024, 8:10 a.m.

On May 1st, the people behind a subreddit called r/loblawsisoutofcontrol launched a nationwide boycott of Loblaw-owned stores for the month.


The very same day the boycott began, Loblaw Companies Limited released its first quarter earnings numbers. Its profits went up by almost 10%, and its revenue by over $13-billion.


Today on Front Burner, why did Loblaw become the primary target of Canadians\u2019 grocery anger? Can something like a boycott or more competition really keep it in check? And should we think of Loblaw less like a retailer, and more like Amazon?


Vass Bednar is our guest. She's the executive director of McMaster University's Master of Public Policy and Digital Society program.