Ms. Katie Brine reports

EMPIRE COMPANY LIMITED ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID

Empire Company Ltd. has renewed its normal course issuer bid (NCIB), by filing a notice of intention with the Toronto Stock Exchange to purchase for cancellation up to 10.75 million Class A shares, representing approximately 9.6 per cent of the public float of 112,213,358 Class A shares as of June 18, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. As of June 18, 2026, there were 126,034,914 Class A shares issued and outstanding.

The purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or any alternative Canadian trading systems to the extent they are eligible. The price that Empire will pay for any shares will be the market price at the time of acquisition. The company believes that repurchasing shares at the prevailing market prices from time to time is a worthwhile use of funds and in the best interests of Empire and its shareholders. Purchases under the renewed NCIB may commence on July 2, 2026, and shall terminate not later than July 1, 2027.

Based on the average daily trading volume (ADTV) of 448,658 shares over the last six months, daily purchases will be limited to 112,164 Class A shares (25 per cent of the ADTV of the Class A shares), other than block purchase exemptions.

Under the company's current NCIB, which commenced on July 2, 2025, and expires on July 1, 2026, the company received approval from the TSX to purchase up to 11.5 million Class A shares, representing approximately 9.6 per cent of the public float of Class A shares outstanding as of June 17, 2025. As of June 18, 2026, the company has purchased 7,991,336 shares through the facilities of the TSX, including under its automatic share purchase plan, at a weighted average price of $49.55 for a total consideration of approximately $396-million.

The company has also renewed its automatic share purchase plan with its designated broker, allowing the purchases of Class A shares for cancellation under its NCIB during trading blackout periods, subject to regulatory approval.

About Empire Company Ltd.

Empire is a Canadian company headquartered in Stellarton, N.S. Empire's key businesses are food retailing, through wholly owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc., and related real estate. With approximately $32-billion in annual sales and $17-billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 130,000 people.

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