Competition Bureau to seek grocery pricing information next week
The agency will publish a call for information on Monday as part of its investigation into Canada's food supply chain.
Canada's Competition Bureau will publish a call for information on retail grocery pricing policies on the morning of Sept. 28.
The initiative is part of the bureau's ongoing examination of Canada's food supply chain and builds on its 2023 retail grocery market study, which included recommendations to improve competition in the sector.
The bureau launched its broader examination of the food supply chain on June 16, 2026, looking for problems and potential solutions that could help consumers, businesses and producers benefit from greater competition.
"The examination goes beyond retail grocery to include areas such as harvesting, production, processing, logistics and transportation," the bureau said.
Its review of retail pricing practices will include loyalty programs, pricing algorithms, shrinkflation and skimpflation, which refers to selling a lower quality product for the same price.
The bureau is tasked with protecting and promoting competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses.
"The bureau's examination will look for potential competition issues in three key areas: production and processing; transportation and distribution; and retail pricing practices," the agency said.
It plans to publish a report summarizing its findings and recommendations to policymakers aimed at increasing competition throughout Canada's food supply chain.
"It says greater competition can benefit consumers through lower prices, more choice, and improved quality and innovation," the bureau said.
The 2023 retail grocery market study found greater competition could help lower prices and spur innovation.
Among the recommendations from that study was for provincial and territorial governments to consider introducing accessible and harmonized unit pricing requirements.
The bureau's latest investigation will build on the findings of the 2023 study.
Media representatives can contact Competition Bureau Media Relations to receive the call for information when it is released.
With files from The Globe and Mail, Canadian Grocer and RED FM Canada