Sobey’s parent company Empire reports $385M Q3 loss

Empire Co. Ltd. reported a loss of $385 million in its third quarter, affected by one-time costs related to the closure of its Voilà grocery delivery facilities in Alberta and the pausing of the online service’s expansion in the Vancouver area. 

The company’s banners include Sobeys, Safeway, Farm Boy and IGA. 

Sales in what was the company's third quarter amounted to $7.89 billion, up from $7.73 billion a year earlier. 

Food sales rose 3.0 per cent, while the company says fuel sales fell 11.4 per cent primarily due to lower prices due to the removal of the government carbon tax.

Empire says same-store sales were up 1.2 per cent, while same-store food sales gained 2.0 per cent.