A Loblaw flyer, posted to Reddit, compares prices from 2019 to 2024, detailing a stark spike in prices.

In 2019, a tub of Philadelphia cream cheese was $2.99 for one, or 2 for $5 if it was on sale. Today it’s $5.49. A case of 24 pop cans was $6.47, today the same product is almost $13, meanwhile, a 600-gram pack of natural smoked ham went from $7.99 to $16.49 today — more than double the price five years ago.

“I’ve never had inflation like that in my life and I’m 72,” said one man quoted in the article. Another exasperated customer exclaimed, “I’m speechless. I can’t really say anything, other than where’s my money really going?”

All the while, reports show that Canadian grocers continue to enjoy record profits.

According to the Centre for Future Work report, grocers have been indulging in healthy margins since mid-2021 as the net income margin on food and beverage retailers has consistently exceeded 3% of total revenues, which is more than double the average margin between 2015 and 2019.

Jim Stanford, an economist with the Centre for Future Work, said the data in the study shows grocers took advantage of the pandemic and its aftermath to increase profits.