Fortinos is a Canadian supermarket chain that was founded in Hamilton, Ontario. It operates 24 stores across the western Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. It is owned by Loblaw Companies Limited.

Fortinos
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail supermarket
Founded1961; 63 years ago (1961) in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
FounderJohn Fortino
Headquarters
Hamilton, Ontario
,
Canada
Number of locations
24
Area served
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
ProductsBakery, dairy, delicatessen, frozen foods, general grocery, meat and poultry, produce, seafood, snacks, pharmacy, flowers
ParentLoblaw Companies
Websitefortinos.ca

History edit

In 1961, Giovanni (John) Fortino, a steelworker and immigrant from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy,[1] opened his first Fortinos store in lower Hamilton, Ontario, at King St. E. and Glendale Ave.[2] In 1972, John took on seven partners and opened a second store on Hamilton Mountain. Owing to their growing success, subsequent stores were opened in Hamilton, Burlington and Brampton.

Fortinos is a European-style 'townsquare' shopping concept (which is experienced in new-store layout (i.e. Rexdale and Vaughan)) in which the store is set like a European Street with Bakeshoppe, cheese shoppe, Butchers, Flower Shoppe, etc.; and in some locations allowing the customer to pay in each of those departments. The stores also feature Fortinos Bistro Cafes serving hot Italiano Coffee, baked goods, and fresh- made-to-order wraps and soups. Fortinos slogan is "Your Supermarket with a Heart".

Fortinos became a part of Loblaw Companies Limited in 1988, but still without the No Name Brand (yellow packages) products. During the 1990s, Fortinos focused on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, opening stores in Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Rexdale, Woodbridge, and Markham.

John Fortino died of cancer on May 18, 2011 at the age of 76.[3] In 2012 a memorial to the founder was erected at the Mall Road store in Hamilton.[citation needed]

Locations edit

24 locations:[4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "2020 Award Recipients". Festitalia.
  2. ^ Pearson, Mike (September 3, 2021). "Fortinos, Hamilton's supermarket with a heart, turns 60". Hamilton Mountain News – via TheSpec.com.
  3. ^ "John Fortino, founder of Fortinos dies". Canadian Grocer.
  4. ^ "Fortinos Supermarkets Store Listing | Fortinos". www.fortinos.ca. Retrieved December 13, 2015.

External links edit