These two tap Canadian growth markets

Article Excerpt

Loblaw is ready to thrive in a post-COVID-19 environment. Many of its customers who opted for home delivery (or in-store pickup) during pandemic lockdowns are sticking with that value-added service. The company’s improvements to its loyalty programs should also drive additional spending per visit, both in its stores and on its websites. The stock lets you tap this growth and the company’s other successful retailing strategies. Note that George Weston—with its 52.6% interest in Loblaw—provides you with another way to tap the retail giant’s rising success. LOBLAW COMPANIES, $85.66, is a buy. Through your shares (Toronto symbol L; Shares o/s: 338.2 million; Market cap: $28.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Divd. yield: 1.7%; www.loblaw.ca), you tap 1,096 food stores and 1,346 Shoppers Drug Mart outlets in Canada. With COVID-19 lockdowns easing and restaurants reopening, Loblaw’s sales are reverting to pre-pandemic levels. Still, in the quarter ended June 19, 2021, sales rose 4.5%, to $12.49 billion from $11.96 billion a year earlier. Loblaw’s pandemic-related…