While B.C.’s economic growth is slow and prospects uncertain, the president of Overwaitea Food Group said the grocer is not seeing consumers going downmarket in an attempt to save at the till.

“I’d say things feel to us be pretty stable right now, Darrell Jones told KTW following a speech Friday to a Kamloops Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“When times get tough, people people look to lower cuts. We’re not seeing that today.”

While the grocery business remains highly competitive, made more so by the entry of Walmart into the sector, Jones said Overwaitea’s business in most major centres is strong.

The Jimmy Pattison-owned corporation operates Cooper’s Foods, Save-On-Foods and PriceSmart foods as well as Overwaitea-branded stories. Overwaitea is marking its 100th year in 2015.

It operates stores in five locations in Kamloops, employing 600 people.

Well established in B.C. and Alberta, it is expanding this year into Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.

It plans to add 40 stores in five to seven years.

Despite solid growth and expansion, Jones said some rural areas tied to natural resources are lagging, with customers focused on low cost.

In addition to expanding its locations, the corporation is introducing e-commerce delivery service and expanding hot foods.

Jones also had a message for local suppliers: we want your product on our shelves.

“We make it easy and simple,” he said. “That’s what a local company dealing with local suppliers does.”

By: Cam Fortems

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/overwaitea-expanding-into-the-prairies/