Loblaw to add 111 Specsavers locations

Mr. Bill Moir of Specsavers reports SPECSAVERS TO OPEN 111 NEW OPTICAL LOCATIONS IN LOBLAW GROCERY STORES ACROSS CANADA Specsavers Canada Inc. and Loblaw Companies Ltd. have established a transformative relationship that will see 111 new Specsavers locations open within Loblaw locations across Canada to replace the Theodore & Pringle brand, which will cease operations. This will bring Specsavers' total Canadian footprint to more than 260 locations nationwide, establishing the company as the leading optical provider in Canada. Specsavers locations will open in select Loblaw grocery stores across Canada -- including in Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and Zehrs stores -- while maintaining seamless continuity for customers and patients and significantly expanding access to advanced eye care services, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology. The expansion also represents Specsavers' entry into five new provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan) and one new territory (Yukon) while strengthening its presence in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. "This expansion represents a pivotal moment for eye care accessibility in Canada," said Bill Moir, managing director of Specsavers Canada. "By opening 111 new locations within trusted Loblaw locations, we're fundamentally improving how Canadians access the eye care they deserve. Our mission has always been to change lives through better sight; we believe expert eye care and quality eyewear should be affordable for all. We are now able to expand that mission across the country, ensuring that more families can access comprehensive optical services in the communities where they already shop." New Specsavers locations will operate within existing Loblaws stores, providing customers and patients with convenient access to comprehensive eye examinations, prescription eyewear, contact lenses and specialized eye care services. All locations will be staffed by qualified independent optometrists and opticians. "Theodore & Pringle was born from the belief that eye care should be convenient and affordable for everyone," said Irene Doody, head of optical, Loblaw Companies. "Specsavers' reputation for accessible eye care aligns perfectly with our purpose -- to help Canadians live life well. Specsavers will provide a seamless transition for our optical customers while introducing them to a trusted global leader in eye care." The first wave of new Specsavers locations within Loblaw stores is scheduled to open in September, 2025, with additional locations following throughout the remainder of the year. About Loblaw Companies Ltd. Loblaw is Canada's food and pharmacy leader and the nation's largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy and health care services, other health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,800 locations, Loblaw, its franchisees and associate owners employ more than 220,000 full-time and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private-sector employers. Loblaw's purpose -- Live Life Well -- puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians, who make one billion transactions annually in the company's stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations, more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty, full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations and in close to 500 grocery stores, PC Financial services, Joe Fresh fashion and family apparel, and four of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand, Farmer's Market, no name and President's Choice.