The Buzz

Metro invested $10 million to open Metro Plus Wilderton in Montreal’s Côte-desNeiges neighbourhood Western Canada is getting two more T&T’s in 2022

The latest news in the grocery biz

OPENINGS

A new METRO PLUS opened in Montreal’s Côte-desNeiges neighbourhood in late February. Metro invested more than $10 million to open Metro Plus Wilderton, which replaces a Metro supermarket that shuttered in 2019. At 40,000 sq. ft., the new store is about 50% larger than the former location and among its offerings are kosher and vegan sections; a fish smoker at the fish counter; and more than 100 ready-to-eat meals prepared on site by the store’s chefs. Also on offer are Middle Eastern specialties from its Adonis banner and baked goods from Metro’s Première Moisson. Metro told Canadian Grocer that of the 199 Metro supermarkets in Quebec, 120 are now under the larger-format Metro Plus banner.

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T&T SUPERMARKET is expanding again. The Loblawowned Asian supermarket chain has announced plans to open two stores in Western Canada over the next year. T&T says it will open its second store in Coquitlam, B.C. in late 2022, as well as a new store in Calgary, its fourth location in that city, in December. “We are excited to bring this experience to the local community in Northwest Calgary, with our Sage Hill location, as well as the growing communities of Lougheed, Burquitlam, and the students of Simon Fraser University with our new Coquitlam location,” said Tina Lee, T&T CEO in a release. In recent months, T&T has announced new locations in Toronto at CF Fairview Mall as well as its first foray into the Quebec market with a new store opening in Montreal later this year. These announcements will bring T&T’s store count to 33 locations across the country.

Kelowna, B.C. is home to a new COSTCO. The nearly 170,000-sq.-ft. warehouse is 24% larger than the previous location, just two kilometres away. The new, expanded Costco features more parking, new products, a gas station and a self-checkout area.

Guelph, Ont. got its first FARM BOY in early March. Located at 370 Stone Road West, the 25,276-sq.-ft. store is Farm Boy’s 43rd store in the province.

GET RECOGNIZED FOR MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT!

Canadian Grocer’s Impact Awards are back! We want to shine a spotlight on initiatives introduced by retailers, suppliers and solution providers that are making a meaningful difference in four areas: sustainability; diversity, equity & inclusion; supporting employees; and community service/giving back. Please take a few minutes to tell us about the great work being done at your company. There is no fee to nominate and winners will be featured in our August issue. Visit cgimpactawards.ca before May 30, 2022 to nominate.

Jeffrey Min

Joseph Kim

Monika Russell

Vincent Nadeau

Stephen Reid

Sara Andreoli COMINGS AND GOINGS

After more than a dozen years at Loblaw, Uwe Stueckmann has announced his retirement. As Loblaw’s executive vice president, chief customer officer, Stueckmann played a key role in the growing the PC Optimum loyalty program as well as bringing to life several of Loblaw’s leading brands including President’s Choice, No Name and Life Brand. The retail veteran previously held roles at Lowe’s and at Shoppers Drug Mart prior to its 2013 acquisition by Loblaw. Jeffrey Min has stepped down as CEO of Galleria Supermarket—the Korean specialty grocery chain he founded in 2003—and its wholesale division Korea Food Trading. Joseph Kim, who joined the business in 2005, most recently serving as vice-president, has been named Min’s successor. At Freshlocal Solutions, Monika Russell has been appointed chief financial officer and corporate secretary. Russell will be responsible for the financial strategy of the company whose operations include the Blush Lane and Be Fresh stores as well as the SPUD.ca e-grocery platform. Russell replaces Adrienne Uy who is taking on the role of executive vice president of transformation at the Vancouver-based company. Kraft Heinz Canada has added to its leadership team. Vincent Nadeau has been named vice- president, sales. Nadeau has racked up experience at Mondelez International, PepsiCo as well as marketing firm Guilbault & Associates. Stephen Reid has been named president of the Ontario Produce Marketing Association. Reid, who has previously held roles at the Ontario Medical Association and the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, replaces Michelle Broom. Acosta Canada has promoted Sara Andreoli to the role of vice-president, business insights. Andreoli joined the company in 2018 and most recently served as director of business insights.

Night to Nurture Raises $1.9 million

The grocery industry came together virtually in late January to help kids in need. The Grocery Foundation’s annual Night to Nurture Gala shifted to a virtual-only format again this year as a result of a surge in COVID cases, but that didn’t dampen the generosity of the industry.

“We are excited to share that we raised $1.9 million for The Grocery Foundation and Kids Help Phone. We are extremely grateful for the grocery industry’s support in this our second year of having to pivot to a virtual format,” says Shaun McKenna, the Foundation’s executive director. “Their support means so much to Canadian children and youth in these times of increasing need. We are hopeful that we will be able to return to an in-person format next year.”

The evening was described by organizers as an “entertainment spectacle” with a lineup of comedy, music and magic performances from Canadian talent that included illusionist Darcy Oake, comedian Gerry Dee as well as musicians Tim Hicks, Alan Doyle, Fefe Dobson, Tyler Shaw and Alan Frew. Night to Nurture raises crucial dollars to fund breakfast programs in Canadian schools as well as to support the work of Kids Help Phone.

Comedian Gerry Dee entertains

Shaun McKenna of The Grocery Foundation and Kathy Hay of Kids Help Phone

Alan Doyle performs with Tim Hicks and Band Night to Nurture performers rehearse for the final number, “Lean On Me”