
Loblaw vs JM Smucker face off over Folgers coffee price; weather, Trump tariffs also play a role
Canada's largest grocery retailer,
Loblaw
Companies Ltd., has removed all
Folgers coffee
products from its stores following a pricing disagreement with the manufacturer,
J.M. Smucker Co.
The grocery giant said the proposed cost increases were 'unreasonable and unjustified based on underlying costs.'
In an internal email to retailers, Loblaw explained that talks with Folgers' manufacturer failed to produce an agreement. 'After several weeks of negotiations, we were unable to reach an agreement with the manufacturers of
Folgers
coffee regarding their significant and unjustified proposed price increases,' wrote Suren Theivakadacham, Loblaw's category director. The company emphasized that it is acting in the interest of consumers struggling with affordability.
Loblaw spokesperson Catherine Thomas stated the decision was not taken lightly but was necessary to keep prices in check. 'We will not accept or pass unjustified cost increases on to customers, and therefore we have removed Folgers from our shelves,' she said. 'We recognize this may create some inconvenience for customers and for that we apologize, but again, we will do what is right to help address price increases.'
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Honor a Forgotten Father Today
HelpAge India
Donate Now
Undo
The company has also circulated a list of alternative coffee products to its stores as shelves are being updated. Thomas added that most stores are expected to be out of stock of Folgers items within the next week or two.
This move comes amid rising coffee prices across Canada. In April,
Statistics Canada
reported a 13.4 per cent year-over-year increase in the price of coffee and tea, well above the 3.8 per cent rise in overall grocery costs and the national inflation rate of 1.7 per cent.
Live Events
Experts attribute the rising costs to a combination of factors, including extreme weather conditions that have reduced crop yields. Coffee is also affected by a weaker
Canadian dollar
and ongoing retaliatory tariffs on certain US imports, even though the US isn't a major coffee producer.
Folgers products are manufactured by Ohio-based J.M. Smucker Co., which has implemented price hikes in the past year due to escalating costs. Company CEO Mark Smucker said in a February earnings call that more increases were expected in the near future.
'Our pricing actions have been managed prudently and responsibly and have only been taken when justified by costs,' company spokesperson Frank Cirillo said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
A startup was said to be ‘passing off' humans as AI. That's not why it collapsed
Once valued at $1.5 billion, the Microsoft-backed was supposed to make app-building 'as easy as ordering a pizza'. But then, it was alleged that its 'AI' was fake. And eventually, it was said, so were its revenues It is the most ' high-profile ' AI startup collapse in recent times. And a convoluted story ties it to story begins with a startup that said it could help anyone put together an app without any code — in 2016 , long before ChatGPT and Claude made it look so easy. The London and Los Angeles-based startup was founded by a British entrepreneur of Indian origin, Sachin Dev Duggal , and would eventually be known as . And, as the 'ai' in its name indicated, it would use artificial intelligence to turn app-building into what it said would be a process ' as easy as ordering a pizza '.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Deepansh Bhargava joins Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers as SVP & head marketing
HighlightsVummidi Bangaru Jewellers, a Chennai-based heritage brand, has appointed Deepansh Bhargava as Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing, bringing extensive experience in retail and lifestyle marketing. The company aims to expand into key international markets like Chicago, California, and Virginia while strengthening its domestic presence in Tamil Nadu with new store openings planned in Coimbatore, Trichy, and Madurai. Deepansh Bhargava expressed his honor in joining Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, highlighting the brand's excellence in craftsmanship and rich cultural legacy as significant motivators for his contribution to its success. Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers , a Chennai-based heritage brand, has appointed Deepansh Bhargava as senior vice president and head marketing. Prior to this, Bhargava was the vice president, marketing of U.S. Polo Assn. India at Arvind Fashions. Bhargava brings extensive experience in retail and lifestyle marketing, having previously led brand strategy and digital initiatives for leading brands in fashion and premium retail. Commenting on his appointment, Amarendran Vummidi, managing director, Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, said, "Our journey towards becoming a ₹5000 Cr brand is only beginning. After the success of our Dallas, Texas showroom, we are gearing up to expand into key international markets like Chicago, California, and Virginia. Domestically, we are also working on strengthening our presence in Tamil Nadu—with upcoming stores in Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, and additional Chennai locations including T. Nagar, Chrompet, and more. We believe Deepansh's experience will bring strategic depth to this exciting journey." Bhargava has been instrumental in shaping multiple iconic brands. On-boarding of Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh (Pacho) for U.S. Polo Assn's Global Ambassador is one of his recent works. At Future Group, he played a pivotal role in the launch and national expansion of Brand CENTRAL, and contributed significantly to the early marketing success of brands like Brand Factory, Food hall from Bangalore. His time with DLF Luxury and Premium Retail further deepened his understanding of upscale consumer behaviour and experiential retail. Jithendra Vummidi, joint managing director, Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, added, "Jewellery is an emotional and cultural investment. Staying relevant means being deeply connected with evolving customer expectations. We look forward to the fresh ideas Deepansh will bring to build the brand & its communication while staying true to our legacy." On his appointment, Bhargava said, "I'm honoured to join VBJ at such a significant time in its history. It's a privilege to be part of a brand that not only represents excellence in craftsmanship but also carries forward a rich cultural legacy. I look forward to contributing to its continued success."


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
H&M owners quietly buying its shares
HighlightsHennes & Mauritz, the fast-fashion retailer listed on the Swedish stock market since 1974, is moving closer to potential private ownership as the founding family increases their share purchases. The Persson family, one of Sweden's wealthiest families, has invested over $6.6 billion since 2016 to raise their stake in Hennes & Mauritz from 35.5 percent to nearly 64 percent through their holding company Ramsbury Invest. Despite growing speculation about taking Hennes & Mauritz private, family members have denied any intentions to do so, stating they simply 'believe' in the company founded in 1947 by Erling Persson. Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), the fast-fashion retailer that's been listed on the Swedish stock market since 1974, is steadily moving back towards private ownership. The founding family has stepped up purchases of H&M shares, spending more than $6.6 billion since 2016 to amass nearly two-thirds control and fuelling speculation it could take the Stockholm-based company back into private hands — despite denials from family members. The Perssons, one of Sweden's wealthiest families, has ramped up insider buying by reinvesting dividends, boosting its H&M stake to almost 64 per cent from 35.5 per cent over the past nine years through a holding company Ramsbury Invest , saying little about their intentions other than that they 'believe' in H&M, founded in 1947 by Erling Persson.