Loblaw aims for growth

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES, $117.58, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 315.2 million; Market cap: $36.9 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.5%; www.loblaw.ca) continues to expand its growth initiatives. A key part of its growth plan is its financial services business (3% of revenue), which offers banking services, insurance and credit cards. This business also runs Loblaw’s PC Optimum loyalty rewards program, which now has over 18 million members. By analyzing the shopping habits of those users, Loblaw can create customized offers that help spur repeat visits and more spending per visit. The company also keeps expanding its PC Express online business, which offers home delivery and click-and-collect services. In the latest quarter, e-commerce revenues rose 13.9%. As well, Loblaw continues to expand its President’s Choice line of foods and other products. The company earns higher profit margins on those products than on the national brands it sells. Loblaw Cos. is a buy. buy…