In the 1900s, a local businessman in Ottawa opened a small wholesale store that quickly grew into a massive supermarket chain. The chain, named “Leb” after its founder, operated for nearly a century. More on ottawa1.one.
The Creation of the Leb Supermarket Chain
The history of the Leb supermarket chain begins with an immigrant named Bertram Leb. He arrived in Canada in the late 19th century and was raised in a Jewish family with five other children. Following his father’s guidance, Bertram enrolled in university to study literature and philosophy while also attending the Jewish Theological Seminary. However, he was dissatisfied with this path. When his father passed away, he decided to completely change his career.
Bertram Leb had always wanted to start his own business. He embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the relatively late age of 35.
The Leb company was established in Ottawa in 1912. Initially, it was not a supermarket chain but rather a small confectionery store focused primarily on wholesale distribution. Over time, the business thrived, generating significant profits while gaining immense popularity among Ottawa residents. The mid-20th century saw a commercial boom across Canada, and Leb’s business experienced remarkable success.
By the 1950s, the small Leb store had expanded into two massive warehouses. In 1952, Leb launched the first franchise of stores in Ottawa. By the mid-20th century, the Leb store network included seventy locations across Canada. By the 1960s, the chain controlled 30% of the grocery market in Ontario. What had started as a small confectionery shop had grown into a multi-billion-dollar corporation.
Among the products available at Leb supermarkets in the 20th century were:
- Fresh dairy products
- Pre-packaged meals
- Grocery staples
- Non-food items
- Fresh meats of various kinds
- Pharmaceutical goods
- Snacks and other food items
By the 20th century, the Leb supermarket chain was incredibly popular not only in Canada but also in the United States.
During the last decade of the 20th century, Leb’s management decided to launch its own private-label products under the company’s brand.
Why Did Canada’s Largest Supermarket Chain Disappear?
Despite its long-standing success, the Leb supermarket chain encountered difficulties in the late 20th century. After years of rapid expansion, the company’s resources became overextended. Additionally, an accountant working for Leb at the time embezzled funds, which significantly impacted the business. As a result, the chain eventually came under the control of Provigo.
By the late 1990s, the Leb chain was acquired by the large Canadian corporation Metro Foods. Following this acquisition, stores under the Leb brand began offering new products and services from brands such as:
- Merit
- Selection
- Irresistibles
- Econochoix
- Canada Master Choice
- Equality
- Bakers Oven
- Fresh Obsessions
In 2008, the Leb company ceased to exist. Metro Foods announced its decision to invest in consolidating its supermarket chains into a single brand under the “Metro” name. All Leb stores across Canada were rebranded as Metro, marking the end of a nearly century-old legacy. With this rebranding, the company transitioned to a completely new supermarket chain with different products and a new customer service approach.