Empire Company Limited, the parent firm of Sobeys, has announced plans to revise its use of property controls, a practice that has long restricted competitors from establishing stores in specific locations.

These legal agreements, which can limit where new grocery stores can open, have faced scrutiny from the Competition Bureau of Canada, which has investigated their use since 2024.While the bureau has not found evidence of wrongdoing, it has recommended provincial governments consider limiting or banning such controls.Manitoba became the first province to implement such restrictions in June 2025.

The changes announced by Empire include ceasing new restrictive covenants and limiting enforcement of existing ones, as well as reducing reliance on exclusivity clauses in long-term leases.

Legal experts note that while this move is a step toward fairer competition, transparency remains low, as property control enforcement is largely managed by individual property owners.The impact on consumers may vary by region, with potential benefits in smaller communities but limited effects in urban areas.This development follows similar commitments by Walmart Canada and Loblaws' parent company, signaling a broader shift in the grocery industry.