Why are more people spending their dollars at small grocers?

As many Canadians boycott Loblaw-owned stores for the month of May, more people are spending their cash at alternative grocery options. For consumers frustrated by Loblaw's high prices and market dominance, shopping at alternative stores not only takes business away from the grocery giant but may also save them money. For example, a discount service in Toronto,  Tre’dish, offers direct-from-producer groceries at lower prices, with consumers saving up to 30% on their groceries because the company doesn’t have to deal with supply chain costs. Tre’dish has seen a 186% rise in subscribers since its April launch. Other smaller retailers, like an online farmers’ market in Edmonton, saw a 57% increase in sales in early May, while a grocery co-op in Toronto experienced a 50% surge in membership. It doesn't look like people will stop spending at smaller grocery stores when May ends, as the boycotters stated this week that they plan to continue their movement past this month. However, not everyone has the option to switch grocers. Delivery services are mostly available in city centres, and many communities rely solely on Loblaw-owned stores.