Zehrs Markets
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Zehrs Markets, or simply Zehrs, is a chain of grocery stores located in southwestern Ontario. The chain contains over sixty locations and is a part of Loblaw Companies Limited. The first store was started by Emory Zehr and his sons in Kitchener, Ontario in 1950. Zehrs Markets are known in Ontario by three distinct names, Zehrs Markets, Zehrs Food Plus and Real Canadian Superstore (Ontario). The official business entity is known as Zehrmart Ltd and is operated by parent company, Loblaw Companies Limited. Zehrs employees are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1977 as well as the UFCW Local 175/633, the collective agreement is in effect until July 1st, 2006. Early negotiations have been opened by the company and union to meet efforts to continue expansion of the new Real Canadian Superstore format into Ontario, although negotiations have been bumpy at times. Zehrs operated mainly in small towns, but is known to be in larger cities. Locations stretch from as south as Windsor to as west as Kincardine, and as east as Uxbridge to as north as Midland. The first Zehrs operated Real Canadian Superstore opened in October of 2003 in Midland, Ontario. Store sizes range from 25 000 sq. feet to newer stores at over 145 000 sq. feet.
As a "one-stop" shop, Zehrs stores contain traditional departments such as fresh bakery, meat and produce, and newer non-traditional departments such as optical stores, wine shops and electronic departments.
The administrative portion of this banner is located in Brampton, Ontario under the leadership of Banner Vice President Vince Scornienki and Store Operations Vice President Ken Code. Zehrs Markets regions are divided into four areas, numbered from 1-4. Every department in the store has their own specialist for their district and further expansion into areas of marketing and merchandising are being utilized most recently.
In March of 2005, Zehrmart Ltd and Fortinos Grocery Stores (both under the Loblaw umbrella) merged operations and now run as one unit. In September of 2005 all Ontario operations of Loblaw Companies Limited and the banners began moving into the newly constructed office at 1 President's Choice Circle, Brampton, Ontario.
As with other Loblaw stores, Zehrs is noted for carrying the President's Choice brand of product.
Many Zehrs stores will be renamed as the Real Canadian Superstore in the future, starting with the Highland Hills Mall Zehrs in Kitchener, Ontario, with renovations and expansion beginning in November 2005. The store will expand into a former Zellers store in the mall; this actually takes the location full circle, it having originally opened under Loblaws' experimental SuperCentre banner, to which Superstore can be seen as a descendant.
It should also be noted that Zehrs, on average, has higher prices than other grocery stores.
External links
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