It is expected that food prices will rise in Canadian stores soon, as the ban on price increases during the holiday season ends.
Last fall, Loblaw Cos. Ltd. Said it would freeze prices for all of its own No Name products until January 31, and Metro Inc. said it would hold prices for most products under private label and national brands until February 5.
The lifting of the price freeze comes amid growing consumer outrage over the rapid rise in food prices in Canada and increased attention to the high profits of grocery chains.
But grocery chains claim that their margin on food remains unchanged, and they simply shift higher prices from suppliers to consumers.
Loblaw spokeswoman Catherine Thomas says food inflation is on the rise, and the cost of providing store shelves with food continues to increase from month to month.
According to her, the company, which operates several chains, including Zehrs, Provigo and No Frills, will continue to keep prices for many products at the same level, and the transition to No Name will allow the average family to save thousands of dollars this year.
