There are posters popping up around Toronto encouraging people to “steal from Loblaws” next month.
The poster reads, “The first annual Steal From Loblaws Day!” and is slated to take place on May 12. The sign did not specify the organizer.
Below the date includes a list of Loblaw-owned companies such as Real Canadian Superstore, NoFrills, Fortinos, T&T, Zehrs, Valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Wholesale Club, and Shoppers Drug Mart.
Online, many Canadians are sharing mixed reactions to the posters.
“I’m not down with a steal from Loblaws day, but a don’t shop at Loblaw’s week to protest high prices could create some change,” one X user said.
“They’re the criminals, not me. I won’t be stealing but I’ll boycott them in May,” another user said.
Meanwhile, others are looking forward to the event.
“Let’s be real, every day is steal from Loblaws day,” one user said.
“Save the date!” another user said.
“It’s only fair!” another user wrote.
Now Toronto reached out to Loblaw for a response about the proposed day.
“This is dangerous and irresponsible. We sincerely thank the concerned groups, authorities, and many people who’ve denounced this behaviour,” a Loblaw spokesperson said.
“We certainly understand food affordability is an important issue affecting all of us, and we’ll continue to do everything we can, from lowering prices and making meaningful changes to our business, to help customers save money in our stores,” it continued.
In addition, Now Toronto also contacted Toronto police to find out whether they are aware of the posters and are prepared for a rise in shoplifting.
In a statement, they said Loblaw is a private company with their own security.
“If someone gets caught shoplifting, the business can call police if they want to pursue charges. And of course if a business calls us to attend their location for whatever reason, we will,” police said.
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This news comes on the heels of a month-long boycott of Loblaw brands organized by a Reddit community called “Loblaws Is Out of Control,” expected to begin on May 1. Thousands of Canadians are expected to protest the grocery giant’s rising grocery prices and pressure them to lower its costs by 15 per cent and remove member-only pricing policies.
