Skip to main content

With a rich and diverse history that spans more than 115 years in the retail food sector, here are some interesting facts about Empire and Sobeys Inc.

At a Glance

  • Sobeys Inc. is Canada’s second-largest national food retailer.
  • Over 115 years of experience in the grocery business drives the Sobeys Inc. brand.
  • Sobeys Inc. was established in 1907 by John William Sobey.
  • Sobeys began in Stellarton, Nova Scotia as a meat-delivery business.
  • Empire is the parent company to Sobeys Inc.
  • Michael Medline is the current President and CEO of Sobeys Inc.
  • The Sobeys Inc. net worth is currently $2.88 billion.
  • The fiscal of 2019 accumulated corporate business sales of more than $25.1 billion.
  • Empire and Sobeys Inc. are headquartered in Stellarton, NS.
  • There is a national office of Sobeys Inc. based in Mississauga, ON.
  • There are regional offices of Sobeys Inc. based in Edmonton (Alberta), Mississauga (Ontario), Montréal (Québec), and Stellarton (Nova Scotia).
  • Sobeys Inc. operates grocery stores in all 10 provinces of Canada.
  • Empire and Sobeys Inc. employ approximately 134,000 people.
  • There are 28 national distribution centres of Sobeys Inc. in Canada.
  • Retail banner brands of Sobeys Inc. include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, Thrifty Foods, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Lawtons Drugs, and more.
  • There are more than 1,500 owned Sobeys Inc. stores across Canada.
  • There are more than 350 retail fuel locations of Sobeys Inc. in Canada.
  • Sobeys Inc.'s parent company, Empire, also invests in grocery-related and residential real estate.

Corporate Videos

Sobeys Inc. is always exploring for and finding new ways to improve its grocery-shopping experience across all of our banners. We do this to ensure our stores always serve the needs of our customers across the country. Sobeys Inc. takes tremendous pride in being a family nurturing families.

Operating in all provinces, Empire and its subsidiary, Sobeys Inc., proudly give back to the communities in which we serve. Our video library showcases a selection of the ways Empire and Sobeys Inc. are enhancing food-shopping experiences for both customers and communities across Canada.

Select a video below to watch and learn more.

Delivering the Future

Delivering the Future

Introducing Chalo! Freshco

Introducing Chalo! Freshco

Sobeys Special Olympics Trailer

Sobeys Inc. Special Olympics Trailer

Burlington Sobeys Opening

The Opening of Burlington Sobeys

Read More

Whether it’s to find out about the brands of Sobeys Inc. or learn more about the corporate aspects of Empire, click one of the pages below to discover more.

An Image of Compliments product brand.

Product Brands

An Image of Sobeys Food Stores.

The History of Sobeys Inc.

An Image of some freshly produce fruits.

Sustainable Business Report