Despite backlash, some Loblaw stores still discount perishable food by 30% — not 50%

Although Loblaw has now reinstated its popular 50 per cent discounts on perishable food, some customers say they still feel shortchanged. 

That's because more than 100 Real Canadian Superstores owned by Loblaw continue to discount all food nearing its best-before date by only 30 per cent.

"I was disappointed," said Kim Siever when he recently visited his local Superstore in Lethbridge, Alta., and found no half-off deals. 

"Clearly they can afford it if some stores are offering it," he said, adding that by keeping the discounts at 30 per cent, it makes it difficult for some shoppers to buy what they need "to be able to feed their families properly."

Loblaw Companies Ltd. sparked customer backlash in mid-January when the grocery giant said it was reducing its 50 per cent discounts to 30 per cent for perishables in all stores. Due to public outcry, Loblaw reversed the policy within days. 

But the retailer told CBC News that doesn't mean half-off deals are available in every grocery store. 

"All of the discounts went back to what they were previously, which ranged between 30-50% off depending on store type … and product," said Loblaw spokesperson Catherine Thomas in an email. "Customers enjoyed these, and we listened."

Even so, the company's public flip flop sparked new complaints, because it shed light on the fact that some of its grocery stores offer deeper discounts than others.

Several customers in Atlantic Canada told CBC News their Loblaw-owned Atlantic Superstores mark down all expiring food by 50 per cent, including bread, produce and meat. 

CBC visited several Loblaw-owned No Frills and Loblaws stores in Toronto and Vancouver, and found that most items were also discounted by 50 per cent. However, meat often got a 30 per cent-off sticker. 

Thomas said "most discount stores (like Real Canadian Superstore)" mark down all perishables by 30 per cent.

She did not say why discount chain No Frills and big-box Atlantic Superstores offer 50 per cent markdowns.

Customer Warren Chapman argues that the company's explanation that Real Canadian Superstore doesn't do half-off deals is flawed. He says his location in Duncan, B.C. — the only Loblaw-owned grocer in the city — used to offer them.

Chapman says about five years ago, his Superstore reduced the discount to 30 per cent. He now wants Loblaw to reverse that decision — as it has done for other stores.