Central Alberta Co-op stores are sticking with the co-operative model for their product purchases, and not following Calgary Co-op’s decision to switch to using Save-On Foods’ grocery supplier.
“We’re very disappointed with Calgary’s decision,” said Gerald Hiebert, CEO of Central Alberta Co-op Ltd.
“We will not follow that example, because we truly believe in the grassroots, co-operative model.”
Hiebert believes Calgary’s decision to switch to Save-On as a food supplier, rather than the Federated Co-op, which supplies other Alberta Co-op grocery stores, is based on a business philosophy.
He noted the new CEO of Calgary Co-op has a background of working with Overwaitea Foods.
Hiebert does not believe that Calgary’s pull out will create any significant price increases for Red Deer’s Co-op customers.