Shift to eating at home here to stay, Empire says

One of Canada’s biggest food retailers says the pandemic is having a lasting impact on food consumption as consumers continue to spend more at grocery stores and cook at home rather than return to restaurants.

Michael Medline, president and CEO of Empire Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary Sobeys Inc., said the shift appears to be permanent.

“We are seeing a structural change in consumption of food at home,” Medline said during a conference call with analysts on Thursday to discuss Empire’s second quarter results.

“Customers have seen and experienced the affordability and convenience of eating at home with their families,” he said.

Empire, which owns food retailers including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and FreshCo, earned $175.4 million in its latest quarter, up from $161.4 million in the same quarter last year, helped by a nearly five per cent increase in sales.