Grocery leaders with gains ahead

Article Excerpt

Both Loblaw and Metro successfully weathered the pandemic. In fact, the shares of both are now trading near all-time highs for our subscribers! Meanwhile, many of their customers who opted for home delivery (or in-store pickup) during pandemic lockdowns are sticking with that value-added service. At the same time, both retailers have improved their loyalty programs, which should continue to spur additional spending per visit, both in-store and online. LOBLAW COMPANIES, $124.63, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 321.1 million; Market cap: $41.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.3%; www.loblaw.ca), operates 1,098 supermarkets under several banners, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. Its Shoppers Drug Mart operates 1,346 drugstores across Canada. Loblaw increased selling prices in response to rising costs for food, fuel and other inputs. Consumers are also shifting to its discount-price chains and private-label brands. In the quarter ended March 25, 2023, overall sales rose 6.0%, to $13.0 billion from $12.26 billion a year earlier…