The Buzz Comings and goings, store openings, awards, events, etc.

The Buzz

The latest news in the grocery biz

OPENINGS

(Clockwise from top) Metro's Super C has two new stores in Quebec, a new Loblaws City Market opened in Edmonton, and T&T Supermarket unveiled its fourth Calgary location

A new T&T SUPERMARKET opened in Calgary’s Sage Hill neighbourhood in December. The 45,000-sq.-ft. store features a wide assortment of Asian foods, live seafood, produce, self-serve hot meal options as well as the retailer’s lineup of 400 private-label products. T&T, which is owned by Loblaw, says the new store will also be the chain's first in Calgary to offer a dessert bar featuring treats such as brown sugar bubble tea and shaved snow ice cream. “We are excited to bring this experience to the growing community in Northwest Calgary, with our Sage Hill location, and welcome 150 new colleagues to the in-store team,” said T&T CEO Tina Lee, in a statement. The Sage Hill store is the Asian supermarket chain's fourth location in Calgary.

Metro marked the opening of two SUPERC locations in recent weeks. In November, the retailer opened its 100th Super C store. Located in Saint-Jérôme, Que., the 40,000-sq.-ft. store came after several months of construction and an investment of $13 million. And on Dec. 1, Metro unveiled a new, 35,000-sq.-ft. Super C in Beauharnois, Que. “The addition of this new store is part of a deployment plan that will allow us to consolidate our position as the best discounters in Quebec,” said Jean-Guy Tremblay, senior vice-president, Super C, in a statement.

Downtown Edmonton is home to a new LOBLAWS CITY MARKET. The 22,000-sq.-ft. store opened its doors in the city’s ICE District in November, two years behind schedule. Located in a mixed-use sports and entertainment district, the store joins other tenants such as Rogers Place, JW Marriott, the Oilers Official Team Store and Grand Villa Casino, among others.

GOODNESS ME! NATURAL FOOD MARKET

has made its debut in London, Ont., with a new 18,000-sq.-ft. store. Among the store's features is an in-store eatery called The Good Kitchen, fair trade coffee from Indigenous-owned Spirit Bear Coffee Company, a wide selection of organic produce, supplements and a clean beauty section. Goodness Me! currently operates 13 stores in Ontario.

GIANT TIGER has expanded again with a new, 17,500-sq.-ft store in Windsor, Ont. Located at 1745 Huron Church Road, the store is the discount chain’s fourth in the city. Giant Tiger has a network of more than 260 locations across Canada.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

After two decades with Giant Tiger, CEO Paul Wood exited the company in November. Wood took on the role of CEO of the discount retailer in 2020 and held several senior positions during his time at the company. Giant Tiger’s board of directors has appointed Gino DiGioacchino interim CEO.

T&T Supermarket has appointed Justin Wu as its new creative director. Toronto-based Wu is an award-winning photographer and was previously a director on the television show, Kim’s Convenience. According to the company, Wu will use his artistic expertise to introduce “the T&T experience and Asian food culture to the mainstage.” Acosta Canada has announced some changes to its executive team. Three leaders have been promoted: Sam Magnacca, (formerly vice-president, customer development) is now senior vice-president, client and customer development; Deb Voigt-Hetland (formerly vice-president, retail operations) is now senior vice-president, retail operations; and Tal Dovas (formerly, vice-president, retail operations) is now senior vice-president, business development. At Mars Petcare, Daniel Calderoni has been named general manager of its pet nutrition business in Canada. Calderoni, who has been with the company eight years, previously served as vice-president of emerging markets for Mars pet nutrition.

Paul Wood

Justin Wu

Sam Magnacca

Deb Voigt-Hetland

Tal Dovas

CFIG's Independent Grocer of the Year Awards were handed out at a gala in Toronto last October

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) handed out its INDEPENDENT GROCER OF THE YEAR AWARDS at a gala in Toronto in late October. The National Gold Award winners for 2022 are: Summerhill Market, Forest Hill, Toronto (small surface category); Longo’s, Walkers Line, Burlington, Ont. (medium surface); and Freson Bros., Rabbit Hill, Edmonton (large surface). Summerhill Market also nabbed the David C. Parsons Award in the specialty food retailing category for its Rosedale location. The awards recognize retail excellence in areas such as customer service, store layout, merchandising, creativity and community involvement.

The 2022 Golden Pencil winners were honoured at a special ceremony at GroceryConnex in November. Pictured here (L to R): Carmen Fortino, executive vicepresident, national supply chain and procurement, Metro and Michel Manseau, senior vice-president and general manager, consumer business Canada at Kruger Products. The Food Industry Association of Canada has been presenting the awards, which recognize lifetime contributions to the grocery industry, since 1957

CFIG , GOLDMEDIA.CA, FRESON BROS.

Remembering Frank Lovsin

FrAnk Lovsin, founder and chairman emeritus of Freson Bros., passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Nov. 20. He was 88. Lovsin has been described as a visionary entrepreneur who seized business opportunities while bringing quality food to rural Alberta communities.

Lovsin got his start in the food business back in 1955 when he opened a small butcher shop in the town of Hinton, Alta. From there he grew the business, building it up to a chain of 16 grocery stores across the province, earning Freson Bros. the distinction of being the largest familyowned independent grocer in Alberta.

In addition to his business success, Lovsin also earned many accolades for his philanthropy. Most notably, in 2010, he became a member of the Order of Canada. As a community and business leader, Lovsin was recognized by his industry peers with numerous lifetime achievement awards including the Golden Pencil Award, which he received in 2009, as well as by communities including the Aboriginal and First Nations communities in Northern Alberta. He also served as Board Chair of Fairview College, Alberta Energy Board, Alberta Premier's Council and as a founding member of the Independent Retail Grocers Association.

Lovsin is survived by his children Mike, Paula, Doug and Ken as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.