The Market Report

Just about 13 miles west of Canning is the small town of Cold Brook. It's home to a Foodland, which uses the Sobeys/Compliments group. The store is part of a small indoor mall, and it's on the lower level. So entering here will give you a staircase to head down into the supermarket -- and a good overview of the store. Now is as good a time as any to discuss the layout. Produce is in the front left corner, with meat continuing along the first aisle. Dairy runs along the back wall of the store, with frozen at the far end of the store. Here's the rear/lower level entrance. Looking from the produce alcove towards the front of the store. This store doesn't have a deli, but deli products are in these cases we see running along the first aisle. Here we're looking over towards the produce alcove (left) and the first aisle (right). For a closer look at produce... You know, it seems like everyone loves local. I've seen signs to that effect or...

Let's head about 75 miles east of Wolfville to the town of Truro, NS. With a population of 12,000, it's significantly larger than Wolfville or Canning . It's home to Atlantic Superstore, which like Your Independent Grocer is run by the Loblaw group, although I don't believe these stores are franchised. Atlantic Superstore is a hypermarket, meaning it's a full grocery store that also sells a variety of nonfood products. This particular one, for instance, has a clothing department in the center of the store. Entranceway puts you into the grand aisle, which contains produce, deli, bakery, and seafood. Meat runs along the back wall with frozen and dairy at the far side of the store. The store is huge, at over 80,000 square feet. As I entered, a manager happened to see me taking pictures. The conversation went like this: Him: Why are you taking pictures? Me: I'm interested in supermarkets and retail design, so I like to photograph stores when I vi...