Whole Foods is set to shutter two Toronto locations—Yonge & Sheppard and Leaside—on August 22, 2025. In the lead-up, the stores have launched massive clearance sales, slashing prices by up to 70%. The company says the closures are part of regular business evaluations to ensure long-term success. While Whole Foods promises support for affected employees, reports from workers suggest many were caught off guard by the announcement and faced limited options for reassignment within the company. Severance packages appear to be based on tenure, according to a Reddit user claiming to work at one of the stores.

Despite these closures, Whole Foods maintains a presence in the city with locations in Yorkville and Markham, and plans to open a new downtown Toronto store on King Street West in 2026.

These closures highlight ongoing instability in Canada's retail sector, where major international brands continue to reassess their footprints. As consumer habits evolve and urban commercial rents remain high, companies are leaning into strategic downsizing. This trend places retail jobs—especially part-time and non-unionized roles—at continued risk, reinforcing the need for proactive job transition support and stronger worker protections in a volatile employment landscape.

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Neesa McCrae-McNicholl's original article, “Toronto bids farewell to 2 Whole Foods locations with huge price cuts” was published in Now Toronto News on August 18, 2025. Read the Full Now Toronto News story.