<< Offering customers the opportunity to save up to half price on popular brands, including Loblaw's own President's Choice(R) - there's no better time to stock up and save BIG! >>

BRAMPTON, ON, Sept. 11 /CNW/ - Canadians, make room in your pantries and do it quick - it's time to stock up again on those national brands, daily essentials, seasonal items and once-in-a-while-treats your family loves. Currently running in Quebec, launching today in Atlantic Canada and Ontario, and Western Canada on September 12th, Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw") is thrilled to bring the Big Brands event back to its stores across the country. For just three weeks, on top of the incredible value Canadians already expect when they're shopping at Loblaw stores, customers can choose from a variety of brands they trust, including popular, national brand products such as Kraft, Pepsi, Nestle, Coke, and Loblaw's own private label President's Choice(R), at big savings! The first two Big Brands events this past Spring and last Fall were hugely successful in bringing great prices and phenomenal savings to Canadians and the third event, this Fall, promises to deliver even more savings just in time for Back-to-School.

"We're committed to making shopping easier and less stressful for our customers, especially during the hectic, back-to-school period," says Craig Hutchison, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited. "During our Big Brands event, Loblaw encourages shoppers to look for the blue and white signs, as we offer fantastic value on national, brand name items, which are easy to locate throughout our stores. We also hope that in saving those extra dollars, customers can open their hearts and help support President's Choice(R) Children's Charity."

In today's economy, with unemployment rates the highest they've been in 11 years at 8.7 per cent(1), Canadians have come to rely on the exceptional value that Loblaw banners offer across the country(x) through recent programs such as its PC Sale this summer and weekend No Tax Events, and of course, the value and variety of products available through its private label economic powerhouse, no name(R) brand. The Big Brands sale runs for three weeks only, featuring big savings (some up to half price!) on select items from all major departments in store. From basic grocery items such as juice and bathroom tissue to bake ware, home storage and toys - it's easy for customers to save money on their weekly grocery bill or purchase extra quantities of their favourite products, with the convenience of getting everything in one place. And with another busy school year beginning, there's no better time to stock up and save.

There are plenty of other reasons to visit a local Loblaw retailer during the Big Brands event too. Customers can use their PC Financial(R) MasterCard(R) or PC bank card to rack up additional PC(R) points by filling their cart just a little higher. Last year alone, Canadians redeemed $106.4 million via PC points with an average of $124.52 redeemed per cardholder.

In addition, customers shopping at corporate and participating Loblaw banner stores are encouraged to donate two dollars at the register to President's Choice(R) Children's Charity in support of children with disabilities as part of the national Give a KID a SMILE A Toonie at a Time program until September 26th, 2009. One hundred per cent of money raised will go directly to support children in the province where the donations are made. For more information visit www.pc.ca/childrenscharity.

For more information on the Big Brands event, see your store for details or visit any of the following websites; www.superstore.ca, www.loblaws.ca, www.loblawgreatfood.ca, www.shopnofrills.ca, www.fortinos.ca, www.zehrs.ca, www.zehrsgreatfood.ca, www.valumart.ca, www.yourindependentgrocer.ca, www.extrafoods.ca, www.saveeasy.ca, www.provigo.ca and www.maxi.ca

	    (x) Stores include: Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws, Loblaw Great Food,
	        no frills, Fortinos, Zehrs, Zehrs Great Food, valumart, Your
	        Independent Grocer, Extra Foods, Atlantic SaveEasy, Atlantic
	        Superstore, Provigo, Maxi and Maxi & Cie.
	    

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice(R), no name(R) and Joe Fresh Style(R) brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial(R) services and offers the PC(R) points loyalty program.

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	    (1) Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, August 2009
(www.statcan.gc.ca/subjects-sujets/labour-travail/lfs-epa/lfs-epa-eng.htm)
	    

For further information

or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact Sheri Helman, Senior Manager, Public Relations, Loblaw Companies Limited, (905) 459-2500, extension 616253, Email: sheri.helman@loblaw.ca