The Jim Pattison Food Group
Introduction
Innovation and value-added service are the cornerstones of the Overwaitea Food Group, which was founded in 1915 with a single store in New Westminster, BC. The store soon gained attention for its unique combination of personalized service and innovative merchandising approaches like odd-penny pricing, eye-catching promotions and value-added offers. One revolutionary idea was to sell 18 ounces of the finest tea for the price of 16. This was so well received that customers began referring to the store as the “Over-weight-tea” store, giving the Overwaitea Food Group its name, which continues to symbolize the value the company provides today.
While the company has grown significantly over the past 93 years,
its mission remains firmly rooted in its founding values, with great people delivering exceptional value to every customer in every store, every day.
The Overwaitea Food Group
From its humble beginnings in a single store in New Westminster, Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) has grown to 113 stores serving communities across Alberta and British Columbia.
Today, OFG operates six different banners, each designed to best serve the unique needs of the communities in which they operate – Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Cooper’s Foods, Urban Fare and Bulkley Valley Wholesale.
The entire OFG operation is guided by the core values of Service, People, Innovation, Fun and Integrity, which are an integral part of the company’s culture. These values are demonstrated by nearly 16,000 team members who are all focused on the same goal: to be Western Canada’s leading food and consumer goods organization by running Simply The Best Stores, every hour, every day.
In addition to being a great place to shop, the Overwaitea Food Group is a great place to work. Every member of the OFG team plays a critical role in the company’s success, and the leadership of the organization work hard to ensure that this positive people environment is nurtured every day. Each year, OFG celebrates the long-serving careers of hundreds of team members, and recognizes service excellence at every opportunity. OFG’s commitment to developing team members includes Food Group University, which provides training and educational initiatives to individuals who are interested in learning about the grocery industry and advancing their careers.
Supporting the Environment
Public awareness surrounding eco-friendly and sustainable practices continues to grow. OFG has been demonstrating an award-winning commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint for over 15 years.
Through consumer products and programs, innovative stand-alone Changes Recycling Centres®, leading-edge practices and equipment designed to dramatically improve the energy-efficiency of new and remodelled stores, OFG is well on its way to achieving its goal to be the leading Western Canadian food retailer in energy conservation and
sustainable practices.
Just one example of how this commitment benefits the greater community is the new Urban Fare store at Coal Harbour, where the heat reclaim system combines with an ecologically friendly geothermal system for air conditioning and heating water. These systems are designed to dramatically reduce energy consumption, not just in the store but in the entire 30-storey concrete building, where Urban Fare is located at street level.
OFG is a market leader in another important area related to the environment: its support of local growers, producers and suppliers. There are over 200 varieties of fresh produce supplied by more than 95 local farmers and thousands of locally-produced items available for sale throughout the stores. OFG is also proud to support programs like the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, an initiative funded by BC’s provincial government which distributes BC fruits and vegetables to school-aged children in communities across the province.
OFG’s diverse store formats are one of its many competitive strengths. While unified in spirit, team members in each banner work together to provide customers with a shopping experience that is distinct and memorable.
SAVE-ON-FOODS stores are bright and contemporary. The 51 locations in BC and 20 in Alberta offer customers high quality products, outstanding customer service and, of course, more low prices. With a host of value-added features like nutrition tours, food and health solutions, natural and organic foods and a host of services that make meal times easier for busy families, it’s easy to see why everyone loves to Save-On-Foods.
OVERWAITEA FOODS is “BC’s very own food people” and all 16 locations continue to feature many of the innovative business practices started in the first “Over-weight-tea” store. Today, each store offers a neighbourly atmosphere staffed by helpful team members, while featuring small-town simplicity, fresh products and an extensive range of value-priced staples. Offering the best of both worlds for customers, Overwaitea Foods remains the dominant retailer in small-town BC because the operating hallmarks of personal service, innovation and value established in 1915 are as vital today as they were back then.
For COOPER’S FOODS’ 14 locations, 2007 marked 50 years of serving BC communities. These easy-to-shop neighbourhood markets share a dedication to customers, team members and community. With this strong connection to the people they serve, Cooper’s Foods is well-versed in responding to the specific needs of each of its operating regions. By consistently over-delivering on friendly, helpful service and a great selection of items, customers are assured of an uplifting shopping experience at every Cooper’s Foods location – and it’s all because Cooper People Care.
With products from around the world and around the corner, URBAN FARE delivers a sophisticated grocery experience in a one-of-a-kind format. In 2007, the second Vancouver Urban Fare location opened in the prestigious, fast-growing Coal Harbour area. This new store is a reflection of the natural beauty of the West Coast with a décor that is as rich, diverse, textured and as world-class as the international fare it sells. The Coal Harbour location complements the original location in Yaletown, which also features a cosmopolitan ambience, flavourful food events, a wide selection in every fresh department and quality service by gourmet food specialists. After all, everyone needs a little gourmet every day.
PRICESMART FOODS opened its first store in 2001. Everything about the shopping experience in the nine stores operating in BC is smart. From the smart store layout, designed for ease and speed, to a variety of Simply Smart meal solutions, PriceSmart Foods offers a smart selection of quality products at low prices everyday. With smart conveniences like great value in every department and convenient meals-to-go, it’s easy for customers to shop smart at PriceSmart Foods.
BULKLEY VALLEY WHOLESALE is a one-of-a-kind wholesale cash-and-carry operation. For more than four decades, this banner has provided the community of Smithers, BC and the surrounding area with quality products, personalized service and great value.
In addition to these distinct store brands, OFG has two additional exclusive brands that drive customer loyalty: its Western Family corporate brand and Save-On-More, its world-class customer rewards program.
WESTERN FAMILY, OFG’s corporate brand, is synonymous with high quality, exceptional selection and great value. Customers appreciate the wide variety of Western Family products including a growing selection of organics, made with the finest ingredients. Western Family proudly supports local suppliers, producers and ranchers and all Western Family beef is 100% Western Canadian.
Introduced in 1996, SAVE-ON-MORE is an exciting, value-added customer rewards program featured at Save-On-Foods, Cooper’s Foods, Overwaitea Foods, Urban Fare and PriceSmart Foods. Over the past 12 years, Save-On-More has grown to be one of the most popular customer rewards programs in Western Canada. In addition to earning points at OFG stores, customers can also earn points through OFG’s many Save-On-More business partners, and redeem them for valuable rewards like free groceries and a wide selection of merchandise and services, including air travel and electronics.
More than 93 years after OFG began delighting customers with world-class service and exceptional value, the Overwaitea Food Group continues to focus on delivering the best experience and price in every store, every day. This singular goal has helped OFG become Western Canada’s fastest-growing grocery retailer.
