David F. Sobey and Donald C.R. Sobey to Retire from Empire Company Limited Board of Directors

Company Press Release

STELLARTON, NS – Empire Company Limited today announced David F. Sobey, 84, Chair Emeritus, Sobeys Inc. and Donald C.R. Sobey, 80, Chair Emeritus, Empire Company Limited, will retire and not re-offer for election to the Empire board of directors at its annual general meeting to be held September 10.

“No two individuals have played more significant roles in the growth and development of Empire and Sobeys than David and Donald Sobey,” said Rob Dexter, Chair, Empire Company Limited. “For more than half a century, their contributions – both within the leadership of Empire and Sobeys as well as at the board level – have transformed these companies, facilitating their emergence and subsequent growth on the national stage.”

“The Sobey family continues to be well represented by other generations on the board of directors, including some of David and Donald’s children,” Dexter continued. “As major shareholders, I know that both David and Donald will continue to remain engaged and very well informed on the strategic direction and decisions of the company.”

About David F. Sobey

David Sobey has served on the Empire board of directors since 1963. He was introduced to the grocery business at an early age, honing his skills and knowledge working virtually every job there was in the family’s ever-expanding business, including store manager. His career took him into increasingly senior leadership roles, including serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sobeys from 1986 to 1995 and Chairman from 1995-2001. When he retired in 2001, he was appointed Chair Emeritus by Sobeys Inc.’s board of directors.

David Sobey was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1995.

About Donald C.R. Sobey

Donald Sobey has served on the Empire board of directors since 1963.

After graduating from Queen’s University in 1957, Donald joined his father and brothers in the family business; first in real estate financing for the rapidly expanding Sobeys grocery business and then with the fledgling Empire Company Limited which had been set up to diversify the family’s business interests. He was appointed President of Empire in 1969 and Chairman in 1985. When he retired in 2004, he was appointed Chair Emeritus by Empire’s board of directors.

Donald Sobey was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014.

ABOUT EMPIRE

Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) is a Canadian company headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Empire’s key businesses are food retailing and related real estate. With $23.9 billion in sales and $11.5 billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 125,000 people.

Additional financial information relating to Empire, including the company’s Annual Information Form, can be found on the company’s website at www.empireco.ca or at www.sedar.com.

Media Contact: Andrew Walker, Senior Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Sobeys Inc., (905) 238-7124 ext. 6711