http://www.metro.ca/client/en/Corporatif/CentreNouvelles/DetailNouvelle.asp?id=3687&Cat=3667
Super C to Convert to Food Basics Banner in Ontario
February 8, 2006 Toronto, ON ? A&P Canada announced today plans to convert the Super C stores in Ontario to its popular Food Basics discount format. The Company currently operates nine Super C stores in the province, seven of which will convert to Food Basics by the end of April 2006, one of which will convert to Loeb, and one, in Pembroke, which will close on February 11, 2006.
“Food Basics is a well established discount banner in Ontario with 106 locations,” said Alain Brisebois,” Senior Executive Vice President, A&P Canada. “Upon reviewing our current banner portfolio, we found that customers have a strong affiliation to the Food Basics brand. Therefore, we are investing in these conversions to provide customers with a consistent discount offer that they know and trust, across the province. “
As part of the conversion, the existing Super C stores will be updated with elements of the Food Basics décor. In addition, customers will receive the Food Basics flyer featuring weekly specials and the Best Prices Everyday. Over the next few months, the stores’ product selection will be modified to include A&P Canada’s well-known private label selection including Master Choice, Equality and Basics for Less (replacing the METRO private label line), as well as the chain’s fresh department offerings.
Established in 1995, Food Basics offers price savvy customers a practical assortment of quality grocery, produce, dairy and meat products all at low, low prices. Food Basics saves customers money on their grocery bill by carrying only the best selling brands and products complemented by private label products.
Super C employees in the stores slated for conversion to Food Basics have been provided with working notice and package options. “We thank the Super C employees for their service and hope to offer some of them the opportunity to work within the new Food Basics stores,” said Brisebois. The Super C store in Cornwall will convert to a Loeb and all employees will remain employed under the same working agreement.
The following Super C locations will convert to Food Basics with work beginning in late March:
City and location
Belleville: 366 North Front Street
Kingston: 1225 Princes Street
Rockland: 9030 County Road 17
Kanata: 420 Hazeldean Road
Sudbury: 900 Lasalle Boulevard
Sudbury: 1875 Regent Street South
Timmins: 105 Brunette Road
The Super C banner will remain in Quebec where the chain is a leader in the discount supermarket segment. With over 5,000 employees in Quebec, Super C operates 52 stores.
About A&P Canada
Serving Canadians since 1927, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company of Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of METRO INC. and operates more than 235 grocery stores under the A&P, Dominion, Ultra Food and Drug, The Barn and Food Basics banners throughout Ontario. For more information, visit
www.apcanada.ca.
About METRO INC.
With annualized sales approaching $11 billion and more than 65,000 employees, METRO INC. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Quebec and Ontario where it operates a network of close to 600 food stores under the banners Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, A&P, Dominion, Loeb and Food Basics as well as more than 250 pharmacies under the banners Brunet, Clini Plus, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics.
For more information, contact:
Tammy Smitham
Director, Communications
A&P Canada
416-234-6081
smithamt@aptea.com
