The ratings on Toronto-based Loblaw Companies Ltd. reflect the company's position as the largest grocer in Canada with leading market share positions in most regions and a well-established private label program. These strengths are partially offset by what Standard&Poor's Ratings Services views as weaknesses in the company's operating infrastructure and challenging market conditions leading to profitability and credit protection measures that are somewhat weak for the ratings. The recent acquisition of T&T Supermarket Inc., Canada's largest Asian food retailer, extends Loblaw's already broad retail offering. The ratings on Loblaw and its 62% owner, George Weston Ltd. (BBB/Stable/--), are the same, but the rating relationship remains one of linkage, not equalization, whereby each rating is jointly influenced by the
