The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, June 19, edition that Empire wants to compete more for price-sensitive Canadian shoppers, with plans to open dozens of new discount stores in the coming years. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that Empire announced on Thursday that it is accelerating investments in its store network. It will open 20 new stores in the current fiscal year, and a total of 70 new locations over the next three years. More than three-quarters of those will be discount stores. Chief executive officer Pierre St-Laurent said, "We have a lot of room to grow in discount, without cannibalization of our network." Mr. St-Laurent said he is hoping the initial deal to end the war in the Middle East, signed by the United States and Iran on Wednesday, will lead to lower fuel prices that will provide some relief to consumers. Empire opened five new stores in its fourth quarter, four of which were discount FreshCo locations. Its plans include expanding the FreshCo banner in Atlantic Canada. Including renovations and store conversions, Empire plans to complete 90 real estate projects annually, an increase of 25 per cent compared to fiscal 2025 and 2026, Mr. St-Laurent said.