10 consumer staples stocks to watch

Considering investing in consumer staples stocks? While the best consumer staples stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some consumer staples stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the defensive sector. Keep reading to learn more about consumer staples stocks and how to start investing.

10 popular consumer staples stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the defensive industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

Best stock	1-year return	Market cap	Exchange	Volume	Buy on Questrade
Loblaw Companies (L.TO)	10.87% Loblaw Companies's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$72.4 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	1,022,528	Buy now
Dollarama (DOL.TO)	9.75% Dollarama's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$49.1 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	459,400	Buy now
Empire Company (EMP-A.TO)	2.65% Empire Company's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$10.8 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	484,846	Buy now
Maple Leaf Foods (MFI.TO)	-11.93% Maple Leaf Foods's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$3.1 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	184,296	Buy now
George Weston (WN.TO)	19.38% George Weston's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$37.6 billion (CAD)	Toronto Stock Exchange	138,166	Buy now
The Coca-Cola Company (KO.US)	31.34% The Coca-Cola Company's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$378.8 billion (USD)	NYSE	10,428,800	Buy now
Procter-and-Gamble Company (PG.US)	1.03% Procter-and-Gamble Company's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$351.3 billion (USD)	NYSE	6,307,600	Buy now
General Mills (GIS.US)	-34.56% General Mills's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$17.3 billion (USD)	NYSE	7,588,900	Buy now
Walmart (WMT.US)	9.34% Walmart's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$879.8 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	11,832,600	Buy now
Costco Wholesale (COST.US)	1.82% Costco Wholesale's 1-year return based on the closing price as of October 10, 2025.	$419.6 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	1,503,095	Buy now

The values in this table are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026, or the most recent data available. Volume refers to the number of shares traded during the day.

What to look for when investing in consumer staples stock

The defensive industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering consumer staples stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.

How to invest in consumer staples stock

1. Research the defensive industry. Before investing, learn about the consumer staples stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
2. Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
3. Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
4. Select the consumer staples stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like DOL or PG. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
5. Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.

Our top picks for where to buy consumer staples stocks

Are consumer staples stocks a good investment?

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in consumer staples stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—consumer staples stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the defensive industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest.

What are the best consumer staples stocks?

A lot of factors go into picking the best consumer staples stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong consumer staples stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.

That said, we rounded up this list of popular consumer staples stocks in or related to the defensive industry to help narrow down your options:

• Loblaw Companies (L)
• Dollarama (DOL)
• Empire Company (EMP-A)
• Maple Leaf Foods (MFI)
• George Weston (WN)
• The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
• Procter-and-Gamble Company (PG)
• General Mills (GIS)
• Walmart (WMT)
• Costco Wholesale (COST)

Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some consumer staples stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.

We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each consumer staples stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.

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Loblaw Companies (L)

Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail and Financial Services.

The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores.

Closing stock price	C$62.64
Market Capitalization The total market value of Loblaw Companies's outstanding shares	C$72.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$20.4 billion
Profit margin	4.30%
Revenue (TTM)	C$65.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$2.22
52-week stock price range	C$53.93 – C$69.10

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Dollarama (DOL)

Dollarama Inc. operates a chain of stores and provides related logistical and administrative support activities. Its stores offer general merchandise, consumables, and seasonal products.

The company operates in Canada, Latin America, Colombia, Peru, Australia, and Mexico.

Closing stock price	C$191.93
Market Capitalization The total market value of Dollarama's outstanding shares	C$49.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$3.5 billion
Profit margin	17.33%
Revenue (TTM)	C$7.9 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$5.00
52-week stock price range	C$163.25 – C$209.57

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Empire Company (EMP-A)

Empire Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the food retail and related real estate businesses in Canada. It operates through two segments, Food Retailing, and Investments and Other Operations.

The company owns, affiliates, and franchises retail stores under the Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, Longo's, and Lawtons Drugs brands; operates grocery e-commerce stores under the Voilà, Voilà par IGA, IGA.net, and ThriftyFoods.com; and operates and/or supplies retail fuel locations.

Closing stock price	C$48.85
Market Capitalization The total market value of Empire Company's outstanding shares	C$10.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$8.8 billion
Profit margin	0.68%
Revenue (TTM)	C$32.2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$0.99
52-week stock price range	C$43.39 – C$52.64

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Maple Leaf Foods (MFI)

Maple Leaf Foods Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a protein-focused consumer packaged goods company in Canada, the United States, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, China, and internationally. It offers fresh and frozen poultry, bacon, hams, wieners, meat snacks, a variety of delicatessen products, specialty sausages, a line of cooked meats, sliced meats, cooked sausage products, lunch kits, and canned meats; processed chicken products comprising fully cooked chicken breasts and wings; and a range of plant-based products, including tempeh and plant-based chicken, sausages, wieners, bacon, grounds, burgers, deli meat, cheeses, and frozen appetizers under the Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Schneiders, Mina, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., Fantino & Mondello, Grab'N Snack, Lunch Mate, LightLife, Field Roast, Chao, Swift Premium, Hygrade, Mitchell's Gourmet, Larsen, and Shopsy's brands, as well as private label brands.

The company was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada.

Closing stock price	C$24.74
Market Capitalization The total market value of Maple Leaf Foods's outstanding shares	C$3.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$693.8 million
Profit margin	13.08%
Revenue (TTM)	C$4 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$0.58
52-week stock price range	C$22.14 – C$31.54

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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George Weston (WN)

George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates in two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties).

The Loblaw segment provides grocery, corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores, including in-store pharmacies, health care services, health and beauty products, apparel, and other general merchandise.

Closing stock price	C$101.19
Market Capitalization The total market value of George Weston's outstanding shares	C$37.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	C$21 billion
Profit margin	1.58%
Revenue (TTM)	C$65.7 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	C$2.46
52-week stock price range	C$82.14 – C$107.60

All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures and sells various nonalcoholic beverages in the United States and internationally. The company provides Trademark Coca-Cola, sparkling soft drinks and flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and emerging beverages.

It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers comprising restaurants and convenience stores.

Closing stock price	$88.05
Market Capitalization The total market value of The Coca-Cola Company's outstanding shares	$378.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$31 billion
Profit margin	28.56%
Revenue (TTM)	$50.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$3.33
52-week stock price range	$64.29 – $91.94

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Procter-and-Gamble Company (PG)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.

The company offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; antiperspirants, deodorants, and personal cleansing products under the Native, Old Spice, Safeguard, and Secret brands; and facial moisturizers, cleaners, and treatments under the Olay and SK-II brands.

Closing stock price	$151.23
Market Capitalization The total market value of Procter-and-Gamble Company's outstanding shares	$351.3 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$44.3 billion
Profit margin	18.44%
Revenue (TTM)	$87 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$6.65
52-week stock price range	$134.62 – $164.77

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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General Mills (GIS)

General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer food in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; North America Pet; and North America Foodservice.

It offers snacks, including grain, fruit and savory snacks, nutrition bars, and frozen hot snacks; ready-to-eat cereal; convenient meals comprising meal kits, ethnic meals, pizza, soup, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast, and frozen entrees; wholesome natural pet food; refrigerated and frozen dough; baking mixes and ingredients; and ice cream products.

Closing stock price	$32.29
Market Capitalization The total market value of General Mills's outstanding shares	$17.3 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$6.2 billion
Profit margin	-4.89%
Revenue (TTM)	$18.3 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	-$1.64
52-week stock price range	$31.18 – $47.94

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Walmart (WMT)

Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, ecommerce websites, and mobile applications worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club U.S. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; and ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites.

It offers grocery items, including dry grocery, snacks, dairy, meat, produce, deli and bakery, frozen foods, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, as well as consumables, such as health and beauty aids, pet supplies, household chemicals, paper goods, and baby products; and fuel and other categories.

Closing stock price	$111.35
Market Capitalization The total market value of Walmart's outstanding shares	$879.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$182.8 billion
Profit margin	3.00%
Revenue (TTM)	$735.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.76
52-week stock price range	$98.05 – $134.84

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

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Costco Wholesale (COST)

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Sweden, Iceland, and New Zealand. It offers merchandise, including sundries, dry groceries, candies, coolers, freezers, liquor, and tobacco; non-food merchandise comprising consumer electronics, appliances, small electrics, health and beauty aids, hardware, lawn and garden, sporting goods, tires, toys and seasonal, automotive, stamps, tickets, apparel, furniture, domestics, housewares, special order kiosks, and jewelry; and fresh food, such as meat, produce, deli, and bakery products.

The company is also involved in warehouse ancillary operations, which include gasoline, pharmacies, food courts, optical, hearing aids, and tire installation centers.

Closing stock price	$946.92
Market Capitalization The total market value of Costco Wholesale's outstanding shares	$419.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$38.7 billion
Profit margin	3.04%
Revenue (TTM)	$303.2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$20.74
52-week stock price range	$840.35 – $1,094.76

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on October 8, 2026.

Compare trading platforms to buy consumer staples stock

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among popular trading platforms in Canada. Note that the dollar amounts in the table below are in CAD.

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

If you're considering adding consumer staples stocks to your portfolio, make sure you thoroughly look into any companies before investing to help mitigate risk. We've compiled a list of consumer staples stocks to help narrow down your options. Then choose a legitimate stock trading platform to start investing. After that it comes down to monitoring the defensive industry to know when to buy, sell or hold. How to buy stocks in Canada

Frequently asked questions about consumer staples stocks

• What are consumer staples stocks?

  Consumer staples stocks are shares of companies that either directly work in the consumer staples sector or operate within related industries. Investors interested in buying consumer staples stocks may be looking to take advantage of market trends or lock in investments for the long haul.

• What is the top consumer staples stock to buy in 2026?

  Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to choose a single "top" consumer staples stock to invest in due to factors like market fluctuations, company management and shifting economic trends. These can all change—sometimes overnight—how a stock performs. It's best to do your own research to decide which companies fit within your risk tolerance. Reviewing a company's financial reports and past stock performance can help you decide if it's worth investing in.

• Where can I find information and regular updates about the defensive industry?

  You can keep track of the latest defensive news and updates by signing up for financial newsletters, visiting financial news sites, reading company investor relations pages and using market research platforms. Many online brokerages also offer sector reports, stock screeners and alerts to help you track movements in your stock performance or updates in or related to the defensive industry.

Check these other commodities and investment sectors

If you're thinking about diversifying your portfolio and investing in sectors beyond consumer staples stocks, here are some others you can consider:

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