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Canada's Competition Bureau will begin gathering information on retail grocery pricing policies next week, building on a June investigation into competition in the grocery sector.
Canada's Competition Bureau will move next week to begin gathering information on retail grocery pricing policies, the agency announced Friday. The bureau is tasked with protecting and promoting competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses.
The latest move builds on an investigation launched in June into competition in the grocery sector. That investigation covers potential problems in production, processing, transportation, distribution and pricing. The bureau is also examining how items are priced on store shelves and how consumers buy them using tools such as loyalty programs. It is reviewing algorithmic pricing, shrinkflation and skimpflation, which refers to selling a lower quality product for the same price.
The new information-gathering effort will build on the findings of the bureau's 2023 retail grocery market study. That study found greater competition could help lower prices and spur innovation in the grocery sector. The Competition Bureau is an independent agency responsible for enforcing Canada's competition laws. Its work aims to ensure markets remain competitive and consumers have access to fair prices and choices.
Public Concerns Drive Grocery Pricing Investigation
Retail grocery pricing has drawn increased public attention in recent years as food costs have risen. Shoppers and policymakers have raised concerns about how products are priced and whether competition in the sector is strong enough. The bureau's June investigation marked a broad look at the grocery supply chain, from production through to the checkout counter. The upcoming call for information will focus specifically on retail grocery pricing policies.
A customer shops for produce at a FreshCo grocery store in Brampton, Ont. , on Friday, June 5, 2026, according to a photo from The Canadian Press. The image was taken by photographer Chris Young. The bureau has said greater competition in the grocery market could lead to lower prices and more innovation.
Grocers Expected To Detail Pricing Practices
Its 2023 market study reached that conclusion and the current work is expected to add further detail. The call for information is expected to ask grocers and other market participants about their pricing practices. It is not yet clear how long the information-gathering phase will last. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2026.
Other national news on Friday included Ontario launching flu and COVID-19 immunizations next week and a Quebec man charged with making death threats against Mark Carney. International stories included a blast near the Acropolis in Greece and Hurricane Nolo threatening Hawaii. Vietnam's leader To Lam upgraded Canada to a strategic partner, according to reports. More than 130,000 fridges were recalled in Canada and the U.S. with one death reported.
Algorithmic Pricing And Enforcement Actions Examined
The Competition Bureau's grocery pricing work is separate from enforcement actions but could inform future policy or enforcement priorities. The agency has not announced any specific enforcement steps tied to the upcoming call for information. Grocery pricing policies can include how retailers set shelf prices, use promotions and apply loyalty program discounts. The bureau's review of algorithmic pricing suggests it is also looking at how software tools may influence prices.
Shrinkflation refers to reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same, while skimpflation refers to lowering product quality at the same price. Both have been cited by consumers as concerns during periods of food inflation. The bureau's 2023 retail grocery market study examined competition among grocers and barriers to entry. It concluded that more competition could help lower prices and encourage innovation.
The upcoming call for information is expected to be published next week. The bureau has not said exactly when the call will open or what form it will take.
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CTVNews:Competition bureau to publish a call for information on grocery pricing policies 
CP24:Competition bureau to publish a call for information on grocery pricing policiesThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Grocery Store Gathering Information Canadian Consumers Competition Bureau Grocery Pricing Retail Grocery Investigation Shrinkflation Algorithmic Pricing Canada Grocery Sector Loyalty Programs
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