TORONTO — Facing heightened competition from domestic as well as foreign-owned retailers, Loblaw Cos. is eliminating an estimated 275 positions in an initiative that the country’s biggest grocer says should help it to improve operations.

Facing heightened competition from domestic as well as foreign-owned retailers, Loblaw Cos. is eliminating an estimated 275 positions in an initiative that the country’s biggest grocer says should help it to improve operations.

Loblaws, which is acquiring Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. for $12.4 billion (Canadian) to strengthen its competitiveness, said the cuts would come from management and administrative positions.

"We are streamlining our organization to strengthen our competitive position," said Melinda Metcalfe, director of public relations.

Loblaws now has 134,000 full- and part-time employees working for the company and its franchised stores.