Loblaw plans to battle Amazon and Wal-Mart with online food operation
It’s been late in coming to Canada but online food retailing is expected to soon get a boost here. Already, U.S. behemoths Amazon.com Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. run food e-commerce in this country, but neither yet offers fresh food, such as fruits and vegetables. By later this year, grocer Loblaw Cos. Ltd. will launch a test e-commerce site that will include fresh food, with a “click and collect” operation that will allow consumers to order groceries from its website and then pick them up at the stores after employees have packed the goods. The company anticipates an aggressive roll-out if the pilot works out. (Source theglobeandmail.com)

Blackhawk Canada enables 'contactless' smartphone card payments
Prepaid payment network Blackhawk Network (Canada) Ltd. has launched its digital platform in the Canadian market, by offering Blackhawk's gift card products to Rogers' customers in the new Suretap wallet application. The application allows customers to safely store eligible payment and gift cards on their smartphones and make purchases directly from the phone by holding it up to contactless payment terminals. Canadian retailers with e-gift cards available for purchase within the Suretap wallet include Indigo, Swiss Chalet, Montana'sCookhouse, Milestones Grill+Bar, Harvey's, Kelsey's, Earls Restaurants, Ardene, and Spafinder Wellness 365, with more available in the coming months. (Source chainstoreage.com)

Calgary Police lay charges against 10 men in Grocery Robbery Conspiracy
Calgary Police have charged several men in a conspiracy to rob a number of grocery stores in and around the city, including one robbery last year that saw the manager of the No Frills in Airdrie kidnapped and forced to open the store’s safe. Two ringleaders have already been convicted and are serving prison terms. Another five are accused of conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, attempted kidnapping and firearms offences. Staff Sgt. Mark Rahn explains Hasson Wilson, 46 is accused of being the mastermind behind the operation. “Over the course of the lengthy investigation, we observed him involved with several different groups of individuals. It appeared as though he was grooming them to commit crimes,” he said. A police investigation, named “Operation Volcom”, revealed the group of seven culprits was working together to target specific locations and were planning more attacks at the Canyon Meadows Cinema, Real Canadian Wholesale Club in the northeast, and Rocky Mountain Pawn. Police are looking for three more individuals involved in the robberies, as well as another outstanding crime they believe is linked to the others. (Source 660news.com)

RCMP release surveillance photos of suspects in Airdrie Electronics Theft  Airdrie RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying two people who are alleged to have stolen more than $1,000 worth of electronics from a Shopper’s Drug Mart location. On the morning of Tuesday, April 22, the male and female suspects entered the Market Street Shopper’s Drug Mart. The woman distracted the store’s employees while the man walked away with the following items: Toshiba laptop, Playstation 4, Beatz headphones, total value of the stolen electronics is $1,100. Surveillance cameras captured the two suspects leaving the store. (Source ctvnews.ca)

Robbery with machete leads to charges against two teens in Kelowna, BC
A pair of Kelowna teens are facing charges after allegedly robbing the McCulloch Station Pub Liquor Store Tuesday night. The two young men, aged 16 and 17, entered the liquor store wearing masks and armed with a machete-type knife. “They allegedly demanded money from the register, took several bottles of liquor and smashed glass throughout the store,” said Kelowna RCMP Cst. Kris Clark. The teens have been charged with armed robbery, disguise with intent, uttering threats and mischief. (Source globalnews.ca)