Metro has expanded its retail footprint in Southern Ontario with the opening of two new grocery stores—one in Barrie and another in London.

The stores bear the Metro and Food Basics banners. Montreal-based Metro owns the Food Basics chain.

The new Metro store, located at 640 Mapleview Drive East in Barrie, spans 43,000 square feet and employs 120 people. The store offers a broad selection of Canadian and local products, prepared meals, a bakery, a full-service meat and seafood department, a pharmacy, and electric- vehicle charging stations.

“This new store truly reflects the vibrant community it serves, offering customers exactly what they want,” said Metro Senior Vice-president Joe Fusco.

The store’s design includes decor celebrating the Barrie community, and Metro has contributed $5,000 to the Barrie Food Bank as part of the launch.

Meanwhile, London has welcomed its sixth Food Basics location at 1530 Rob Panzer Road. The 32,000-sf store employs 100 people and features international foods, fresh produce and meats, rotisserie chicken, and private-label products. This marks the second of seven planned Food Basics openings in Ontario for 2025, aligning with the brand’s 30th anniversary. A $5,000 donation was made to the London Food Bank to commemorate the store’s opening.

“We are excited to be able to bring Food Basics to more members of the London community, offering more ways for residents to save on quality products,” said John Manax, vice-president of operations for Food Basics.

Both locations reflect Metro’s continued investment in community-focused, value-driven grocery offerings across Ontario, according to the company.

Meanwhile, Metro has announced that a new Food Basics store will open in downtown Toronto in 2027.

The store will be located in the ROQ mixed-use development project, Canadian Grocer reported.

Picture: New Metro grocery store in Barrie, Ont.

Photo: Metro

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