Following a social media firestorm slamming Loblaws for pulling Leamington-made French's ketchup from its selves, the company tells BlackburnNews.com they will be selling it again.
"We’ve heard our Loblaws customers," says Kevin Groh, Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Communication.
Not shopping #Loblaws anymore. #FrenchsKetchup saved jobs. Better product. Went to buy, not on shelf.
— Chris Milling (@CMillz) March 15, 2016
"We will re-stock French’s ketchup and hope that the enthusiasm we are seeing in the media and on social media translates into sales of the product. We will work with French’s to make sure we are in-stock as soon as possible."
Nothing like effecting change. @LoblawsON good call on bringing.#FrenchsKetchup back in. Don't mess with Canadian jobs again.— Jon Maillet (@Awsum_Man) March 15, 2016
Much of the social media frenzy was sparked by a man's Facebook post after he realized the devastating effect Heinz had on Leamington once the company left.
Loblaws operates grocery store chains such as the Superstore, Zehrs, No Frills and others.
A petition by Essex MP Taras Nadyshak also gained traction, which pushed to replace Heinz with French's ketchup at Queen's Park.
Earlier this month Highbury Canco spoke about a deal with French's that could see production triple at its Leamington facility. The ketchup is made using tomatoes grown in the Leamington-area.
Disappointed in you @LoblawsON for discontinuing #FrenchsKetchup ???? I'll go buy it at some other retailer.
— B (@JustB_M) March 15, 2016
Walmart Canada tells BlackburnNews.com that French's ketchup is sold at all supercentre locations in the country and some discount stores, which "has been very well received by our customers." National sales have increased "five-fold" over the past 12 months, they say.
French's ketchup sales at Walmart locations in Ontario are higher than the national average. They tell BlackburnNews.com that's particularly true at the stores in Windsor-Essex.
"Which we believe indicates a preference for locally grown tomatoes and a desire for customers to support local food producers and suppliers," a Walmart spokesperson said in an email to BlackburnNews.com.
Officials say there are no plans to pull the product from Walmart shelves.