Gorbachev was evidently very impressed by Canadian supermarkets in 1983: "Gorbachev first visited Canada in 1983 when he was the member of the Soviet Politburo responsible for state agriculture. Gorbachev toured successful commercial farms and saw well-stocked supermarkets across the country, a vastly different picture from the Soviet Union, which was struggling with shortages. It was his first trip to a non-communist country. The trip helped to convince Gorbachev that more economic and personal freedom was needed in the Soviet Union."

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1990-soviet-leader-mikhail-...