Grocery industry’s new code of conduct to take full effect on Jan. 1

As we turn the page on 2025, food costs continue to be top of mind for shoppers as they ring in the new year, with some people choosing to avoid certain products hardest hit by inflation.

“I don’t think there’s anything different in my shopping other than meat,” said one Lower Mainland grocery shopper.

“I go through the meat, and it’s $10, $15 higher than what I’m normally used to. So, I just stay away from it.”

With others, opting to go from store to store in search of the best deal.

“I can shop at Save-On Foods right here, and if I find the prices too high, I go two blocks to No Frills and shop accordingly,” said another shopper.

But as of Thursday, we will see the beginning of a new era for the industry with the rollout of the voluntary Grocery Code of Conduct for grocers, suppliers, wholesalers, and primary producers.

With Canada’s five largest grocers now registered, the code aims at bringing greater transparency, fairness, and predictability to the sector.

“If it does work, we should see more competition up the food chain because vendors and food manufacturers will be more protected,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director at Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

Grocery prices expected to rise in 2026

The code is no silver bullet, as it does not regulate grocery prices or promise immediate relief at the checkout.

However, supporters argue the measure could help stabilize the food supply chain over time by reducing unexpected fees and conflicts that affect availability, competition and consumer choice.

“And that’s really a big, big piece that we need to do here in order to increase competition in Canada, increase the number of options we have as consumers.

And when you do that, you tend to push prices lower,” Charlebois explained.

While more competition may be on the way, Canadians can expect to continue to feel the pinch at the grocery store in 2026, with the average family of four expected to spend nearly $1,000 more than in 2025.