Podcasts / The Food Professor / Episode
Government Grocers, Mega-Mergers, Cash & Carry Battles, Alberta Whisky and guest Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group
From The Food Professor by Michael LeBlanc, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
April 2, 2026 · 45 min · Season 6 · Episode 30
About this episode Jamie Nelson discusses consumer trends and industry challenges in the grocery sector.
Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group, joins Sylvain and Michael for a rare inside look at one of Canada's largest western grocery enterprises — nearly 30,000 employees, 308+ stores, and 11 banners. Nelson shares his take on consumer trends, supply chain realities, AI adoption, private label growth, and Buy Canadian sentiment. Plus: the hosts break down the NDP's grocery store proposal, the McCormick-Unilever mega-merger, Sysco's Restaurant Depot acquisition, and Alberta's new whisky designation.
People in this episode Hosts: Michael LeBlanc, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Guest: Jamie Nelson
Topics covered grocery industry consumer trends supply chain AI adoption private label growth mergers and acquisitions Canadian sentiment
Keywords Pattison Food Group grocery stores supply chain AI private label mergers Alberta whisky
Mentioned in this episode Organizations: Pattison Food Group, NDP, McCormick, Unilever, Sysco
Places: Alberta
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