STELLARTON –
Stellarton-based Empire Company is partnering with the Canadian Olympic Committee, making its family of brands the first-ever Official Grocer of Team Canada.
"No sporting event brings the country together like the Olympics. It's the highest honour for Empire to support our athletes, who come from every corner of Canada for the love of sport and country," said Michael Medline, President & CEO, Empire Company Limited. "Today, we stand alongside Canadian athletes to help them achieve their dreams on the world stage. The qualities inherent to great athletes – passion, a drive for excellence, a love for community and country – are the qualities our grocery stores strive for every day."
Empire's partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee marks the first time a national grocer has become a part of the Canadian Olympic family.
"The eyes of our nation are on Team Canada for two weeks every two years, but a lifetime of training and dedication go into the moments we celebrate as a nation. We want to be there to support our athletes 365 days a year, and our partnership will deliver against that vision," added Medline.
Empire today also unveiled a pivotal partnership with Hockey Canada, a sport partner of the Canadian Olympic Committee. In its efforts to raise awareness around female participation in sport in Canada, Empire will be the exclusive partner of the Canadian women's hockey tTeam.
Sobeys will support and celebrate the team leading up to and on the Olympic stage, as well as at the 2020 IIHF Women's World Championship, which will be held in Nova Scotia.
"Canada's national women's hockey team is one of Canada's most beloved sports teams," said Sandra Sanderson, Senior Vice-President of Marketing, Sobeys Inc. "Cheering them on at home and abroad as they continue to reach for gold will give us many opportunities to celebrate alongside Canadian families."
ABOUT EMPIRE
Empire's key businesses are food retailing, through wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc., and related real estate. With approximately $25.4 billion in annual sales and $14 billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 123,000 people.
