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T&T Supermarket

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T&T Supermarket
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993)
FounderCindy Lee
HeadquartersRichmond, British Columbia
Number of locations
36 stores[1]
Key people
Tina Lee (CEO)
ProductsGrocery
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese大統華超市
Simplified Chinese大统华超市
Literal meaningBig United China[a] Supermarket
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyindà tǒng huá chāoshì
Websitetntsupermarket.com

T&T Supermarket (Chinese: 大統華超市) is a Canadian-Asian supermarket chain offering a wide range of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and authentic specialty items from various Asian cuisines. It also sells kitchenware and gifts, and has in-store kitchens and bakeries.[3] T&T Supermarket was founded in Vancouver in 1993 by Jack and Cindy Lee who was the founding CEO.[4] Cindy's eldest daughter Tina Lee succeeded her mother in 2014.[5] In 2009, T&T Supermarket was acquired by Loblaw Companies Limited.[6]

The stores range in size from 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m2) to 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2). In addition to the many departments found in a regular supermarket, most T&T stores also have an in-house bakery, hot food bar, dim sum counter, sushi counter and Hong Kong style Chinese barbecue. T&T Supermarket currently has 34 locations in Canada. In 2020, they launched an online shopping platform and an app. T&T Supermarket is set to open its first American location and flagship outlet in Bellevue, Washington in 2024. The outlet, spanning 76,000 square feet, will be the largest Asian supermarket in the state. A second American location will open in Lynnwood, Washington, north of Seattle, in 2025,[7] followed by a third location at Westgate Center in San Jose, California, also set to open in 2025.[8]

"T&T" is a reference to Cindy Lee's eldest daughters, Tina and Tiffany, as well as the initials of two founding investors.[9]

History

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Formation

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T&T was founded by Cindy Lee, an immigrant from Taiwan, together with her husband Jack Lee when they opened two grocery stores in Burnaby and Richmond in 1993. Cindy’s proposition was to help families by bringing the best of Asian fresh food and groceries under one roof. “T&T” has a double meaning: Tina & Tiffany, her two daughters, and the initials of two early investors.[9]

T&T Expands into Alberta and Ontario

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In 1999, T&T stepped out of BC for the first time and opened in Calgary, Alberta at Pacific Place Mall. In 2002, T&T then expanded east to Ontario, opening its 9th store at the Promenade Mall in Thornhill, Ontario.

T&T Joins Loblaw

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In 2009, T&T was acquired by Loblaw Companies, Canada’s largest retailer. Cindy continued as CEO and the Lee family remains a significant shareholder.[6]

Launch of T&T Brand

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T&T launched its own T&T brand in 2012, a collection of private label products that delivers authentic Asian flavors that customers have come to trust. Featuring products that frequently surpass national brands in quality and value, the T&T brand has become synonymous with better quality and better price.[10]

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In 2012, T&T was the first Chinese-Canadian company to be featured on the popular TV show: Undercover Boss. Tina Lee disguised herself, as she worked through the different departments learning from amazing and dedicated T&T Staff.[11]

T&T Founder Passes the Torch

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In 2014, founder and CEO Cindy Lee retired. She is succeeded by her daughter, Tina Lee.

T&T Rewards

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In 2015, T&T launched a rewards program where customers can collect points and redeem them for in-store gifts. Shoppers can also unlock further savings on their grocery bills by getting access to member-only deals.[12]

T&T CEO Joins Prime Minister in Canada-China Trade Talks

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As one of the largest importers of Chinese food to Canada, in 2017 Tina Lee represented T&T by joining the Canadian prime minister in Beijing for Canada-China Trade Talks.

T&T CEO Visits the White House

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In 2017, T&T CEO Tina Lee was invited to the White House as one of five Canadian female CEOs appointed to the Canada-US council for the advancement of women entrepreneurs and business leaders. Her role was to represent and share the collective story of female Canadians, shedding light on how women can be supported in the business world.[13]

The interior of T&T Supermarket

T&T Flagship Store and Development of E-Commerce Platform

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In 2018, T&T opened a 74,000 sq. ft. flagship store in Richmond, British Columbia, which was the first to have a live seafood bar, an Asian street food station, and self-checkouts.[14] Industry experts dubbed the store a "grocerant" because of its restaurant-style offering.[15][16]

In 2020, T&T launched its e-commerce platform, facilitating online orders and delivery of Asian food products across all provinces in Canada.[17][18] T&T sets itself apart by offering grocery deliveries to locations that are up to 200 kilometers away from their physical stores, a convenience not readily available from many other retailers in the industry.

Leadership During the Covid Pandemic in 2020

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T&T led on COVID safety measures throughout the pandemic. Teaming up with its employees, T&T donated 1.1 million masks to support the community.[19]

T&T Enters Quebec

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The first T&T Supermarket in Saint-Laurent/Sainte Croix, Montreal, Quebec which is also the largest outlet in Canada

In 2022, T&T’s largest store in Canada was opened in Saint-Laurent/Sainte Croix, Montreal, Quebec.[20] It was the first T&T store to open in Quebec and is currently the largest store in the supermarket chain.[21] With store sales of $3.2M in the first 7 days, T&T broke the record for grocery retail sales in Canada.

Expansion in 2023 - 2024

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In May 2023, T&T opened a new 36,000 square feet location at Fairveiw Mall in Toronto, Ontario. The store is the first of its kind in Ontario to offer Asian Street Food, including customer favourties like the Chinese Crepe, a savoury beef wrap, as well as a walk-up counter for mall patrons to order easily.[22]

In June 2023, opened the doors to its second location in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The 37,000 square feet store is well positioned to serve the growing communities of Coquitlam, Lougheed, Burquitlam, Simon Fraser University, and New Westminster and created 150 jobs.[23]

In September 2024, T&T opened a new store in London, Ontario. At 39,000 square feet, it is the largest Asian supermarket in London. The store opening generated 120 new jobs in the community.[24]

The grand opening of T&T’s store in Kanata, Ontario took place in October 2024. The new 38,000 T&T store anchors the Hazeldean Mall and will serve the growing population of the emerging technology hub.[25]

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In 2024, T&T was featured on the CBC series, It Changed Everything hosted by Ian Hanomansing. This episode was one of first business stories covered on the program which usually spotlights artists, celebrities, and musicians, indicating how retail has become a part of pop culture. In the show, CEO Tina Lee described how T&T has become a symbol of not just fresh foods – but also a symbol of identity and belonging that is worthy of exporting to the US.[26]

Further Canadian Expansion in 2025 and Beyond

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Following the success of its first store opening in Montreal, T&T Supermarket announced, in August 2023, plans to open a second store in Brossard. The 5000 square metre store is expected to create 250 jobs.[27]

On September 2023, T&T Supermarkets announced the opening of a new store in downtown Toronto, a short distance away from local landmarks such as Yonge and Dundas Square, Eaton Centre, and Toronto Metropolitan University. The new 31,000 square feet store, scheduled to open in Spring 2025, will be located in the Panda Condos, a project by Lifetime Development. Torontonians may know this location as the former World’s Biggest Bookstore.[28]

On May 30, 2024 T&T Supermarket announced the opening of its second store in Burnaby, British Columbia at Gilmore Place. The new 55,000 square feet store is set to open in summer of 2025, and will be a part of a new mixed-used development by ONNI Group which will feature a diverse assortment of retail concepts, restaurants, and B.C.’s tallest residential tower. Located in the neighbourhood of Brentwood, the new T&T will be strategically positioned to serve the surge in high-rise developments and growing population density, where over 28,000 new residential units are currently in development. Situated near the busy intersection of Trans-Canada Highway No. 1 and Lougheed Highway, and seamlessly connected to the Gilmore SkyTrain Station, a major stop on the Millennium SkyTrain Line, this new location is well poised to serve customers across the region.[29]

Expansion into the United States

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In June 2023, T&T Supermarket announced that they would open their first store in the United States at the Marketplace at Factoria in Bellevue, Washington, a suburb of Seattle. The store, a former Walmart location, is 76,000 square feet (7,100 m2) and is scheduled to open in 2024.[30] A second American location, north of Seattle in Lynnwood, Washington, is scheduled to open in 2025.[7] A third location at Westgate Center in San Jose, California in the San Francisco Bay Area is also set to open in 2025.[8]

Montreal Night Market

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T&T, in collaboration with Marché de Nuit Asiatique[31], hosted the annual Asian night market in Montréal for the second year in a row in 2024. Held in the heart of Chinatown, the four-day event is Montreal's largest Asian cultural food festival and offers up cuisine from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines. The event also featured live entertainment, interactive games, and activities for the whole family.[32][33]

Fighting Climate Change

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To save on power and reduce carbon emissions, T&T has added doors to all coolers and upgraded lighting to more energy-efficient LED lights. T&T is also converting its refrigeration systems to equipment that has lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). In terms of waste reduction, T&T has Partnered with Second Harvest to divert over 400,000 pounds of food waste per year from landfills to food banks. Furthermore, T&T participates in an organics recycling program that diverts another 7,700 metric tonnes of food waste from landfills.[34]

Locations

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Canada

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British Columbia

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Alberta

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T&T Supermarket Sage Hill Location in Calgary, Alberta
  • Calgary (4) – Pacific Place Mall, Harvest Hills Crossing, Deerfoot Meadows and Sage Hill Plaza
  • Edmonton (3) – West Edmonton Mall, North Town Centre and South Edmonton

Ontario

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The entrance of T&T Supermarket Warden Store in Markham, Ontario

Quebec

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T&T Supermarket Saint-Laurent Location in Montreal, Quebec

United States

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Washington

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  • Bellevue – The Marketplace at Factoria (Opening 2024)[39]
  • Lynnwood – Lynnwood Crossroads Shopping Center (Opening 2025)[40]

California

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Former locations

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  • Richmond, British Columbia: The location in President Plaza opened one month after the first store in Burnaby in 1993 and closed in 2015.[42]
  • Toronto, Ontario:
    • The Cherry Street location closed on January 30, 2020 with the redevelopment of the Port Lands after operating for 12 years.[43]
    • The Milliken Crossings location (Middlefield and Steeles) closed in 2015 and now houses another Asian retailer.[44]

Awards

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In 2018, CEO Tina Lee received the Executive of the Year Award by Ascend Canada and, together with founder Cindy Lee, were awarded with the Retail Council of Canada Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award for having "demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industry."[45][46] Cindy Lee received the lifetime achievement award at the 2019 Chinese Canadian entrepreneur awards in recognition of her contributions to the Chinese Canadian business community.[47] In 2021, Tina was inducted into the inaugural Grocery Business Hall of Fame, and was listed as one of British Columbia’s Top 500 Most Influential Business Leaders.[48]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ As provided in the Canadian trademark registration for 'DA TUNG HUA'.[2] The Chinese name is derived from the Chinese names of 99 Ranch Market (大華超級市場) and Uni-President Enterprises Corporation (統一企業公司).

References

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  1. ^ "T&T Supermarket Store Location". T&T Supermarket.
  2. ^ "DA TUNG HUA Chinese Character Design — 1067488". Canadian Trademark Details. Government of Canada. Retrieved November 12, 2021. The English translation as provided by the applicant is BIG UNITED CHINA
  3. ^ "T & T Supermarket – T&T Supermarket". T&T Supermarket. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Liu, Scarlett. "Entrepreneur's book reveals story behind Asian supermarket chain T&T". Newmarket Today. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "T&T Supermarket CEO passes the torch". Canadian Grocer. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Loblaw buying T&T Asian food chain". CBC News. July 24, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Podsada, Janice (June 5, 2024). "New Asian grocery store T&T Supermarket to open in Lynnwood". The Everett Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Richmond-based Asian supermarket expands to California". Richmond News. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Devlin, Megan (January 12, 2024). ""For the next generation": T&T Supermarkets CEO on store's viral origin story". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Loblaw Promotes T&T Brands for Chinese New Year". Supermarket News. Retrieved 6 February, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  11. ^ "Undercover Boss- Tina Lee, T&T Supermarket". Youtube. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "T&T Supermarket Rewards Program". Points Hogger. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "T&T Supermarket CEO becomes member of Trudeau-Trump women's business council". Daily Hive. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  14. ^ Toneguzzi, Mario. "T&T Supermarkets Plans More Locations Amid Expansion: CEO Interview". Retail Insider. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  15. ^ "T&T unveils flagship store in Richmond". Canadian Grocer. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  16. ^ "Canada's largest T&T Supermarket opens in Metro Vancouver". Straight. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "T&T launches e-grocery". Canadian Grocer. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "T&T Supermarket launches online ordering and home delivery across Canada". DailyHive. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  19. ^ Campbell, Alan. "Kudos: T&T Supermarket founder donates to Richmond Hospital". Richmond News. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. ^ "T&T - Our Story". T&T Supermarket. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "T&T Asian Supermarket Has Chosen Its Montreal Location & It'll be the Biggest in Canada". January 21, 2022.
  22. ^ "T&T Supermarket Brings 'Food Hall' Energy to CF Fairview Mall". News Wire. Retrieved 18 May, 2023. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  23. ^ "T&T SUPERMARKETS OPENS THE DOORS TO LATEST LOCATION IN COQUITLAM, BC". News Wire. Retrieved June 01, 2023. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  24. ^ "T&T Supermarkets opening new store in London, Ontario, September 27". Retail Insider. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  25. ^ "T&T SUPERMARKETS ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A SECOND OTTAWA STORE IN KANATA, ONTARIO". News Wire. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  26. ^ "T&T Supermarket CEO Tina Lee reveals moments that changed everything". Youtube. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "T&T Supermarkets to open a second Quebec store". Supermarket News. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  28. ^ "T&T Supermarkets is bringing its iconic shopping experience and selection to downtown Toronto with a second location". News Wire. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  29. ^ Vanderdeen, Lauren. "T&T Supermarket to open in Burnaby's Brentwood". Burnaby Now. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Thompson, Joey (June 8, 2023). "Asian supermarket chain T&T taps Bellevue for first US location". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Marché de Nuit Asiatique". Marché de Nuit Asiatique.
  32. ^ Carpenter, Lorraine. "The Asian Night Market is coming to Montreal's Chinatown for two weekends in August". Cult MTL. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "T&T Asian Night Market Montreal 2024". Rest O Montreal. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  34. ^ "T&T SUPERMARKETS DIVERTS OVER 200,000 POUNDS OF POSSIBLE FOOD WASTE FROM LANDFILL". News Wire. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "T&T Supermarket set to expand to London, Ontario in 2024".
  36. ^ Doradea, Karen (May 4, 2023). "T&T Supermarket to open new Toronto location this month & will have new food offerings". Curiocity. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  37. ^ "T&T Supermarkets is bringing its iconic shopping experience and selection to downtown Toronto with a second location".
  38. ^ MacDonald, Thomas (December 15, 2022). "Montreal's First T&T Asian Grocery Store Is Now Open & It's Freakin Ginormous". MTL Blog. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  39. ^ Toneguzzi, Mario. "T&T Supermarkets Expanding into the US with 1st Store". Retail Insider. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  40. ^ "T&T Supermarket Inc. plans 2nd location in Washington State". Supermarket News. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "CANADA'S ICONIC ASIAN GROCER T&T SUPERMARKETS CONTINUES US EXPANSION WITH FIRST STORE IN CALIFORNIA". ca.finance.yahoo.
  42. ^ "New book reveals how T&T was born in Richmond 30 years ago". Richmond News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  43. ^ Hatherly, Tara (December 20, 2019). "T&T Supermarket closing Cherry Street store in Toronto". Toronto.com. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  44. ^ Miller, Adam. "Loblaws announces closure of T&T Supermarket in Scarborough". Global News. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  45. ^ "T&T Supermarket's Cindy and Tina Lee to Receive Prestigious 2018 RCC Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award". Retail Insider. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  46. ^ "T&T Supermarkets' Cindy and Tina Lee receive RCC's 2018 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award". Retail Council of Canada. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  47. ^ "2019 Awards Winners". ACCE. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  48. ^ "Did you know that Canada's biggest Asian Supermarket T&T is led by an exceptional woman named Tina Lee?". Linkedin. Famous 5 Foundation. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
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