Calgary Co-op purchases Community Natural Foods
Posted Nov 4, 2019 3:05 pm.
Last Updated Nov 4, 2019 7:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Calgary Co-op is swallowing up a competitor. Effective immediately, the grocery chain now owns Community Natural Foods.
It’s a “coming together” of two long-time community-focused Calgary retailers according to an emailed release from Co-op.
“For Calgary Co-op’s food business to survive and thrive in the long term, we must work locally to increase the relevance of our unique offering of products and services to members’ lifestyles,” said Ken Keelor, CEO, Calgary Co-op.
“We must also deliver steady financial performance for our member-owned co-operative. This acquisition is an important step in that direction.”
The small organic retailer won’t be disappearing, though. Co-op plans to operate Community Natural Foods as an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary, and Co-op says at this point there will be no layoffs.
“I really want to thank Calgarians for their loyalty and the Community Natural Foods team for their passion to provide our city with natural and organic food,” said Garry Wilkes, Community Natural Foods founder and owner.
“It’s been an amazing 42-year journey and it was my personal wish to sell to a buyer who would steward the Community Natural Foods business and brand carefully and thoughtfully. I believe the Calgary Co-op team is the perfect fit as our two organizations share similar values and a deep connection to this community,” he added.
The organic and natural food chain started in 1977 with a store on 11 Avenue southwest and has a handful of locations around the city.
