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More changes in high places for Loblaw

Troubled Loblaw [has taken] another big step in trying to restore its battered supermarket franchise. In comes the stylish Dalton Philips, 38, as Loblaw's chief operating officer, after a short stint as CEO of Brown Thomas, the 157-year-old Irish retailer that, like Loblaw, is part of the Weston family empire. Out goes Dave Jeffs, 48, a 28-year Loblaw veteran whose major sin is that he was part of a senior team headed by former president John Lederer, which is being tarred with the faulty execution of the chain's Stop Wal-Mart strategy. The changes herald a revolution in style as much as substance, as new Loblaw boss, 34-year-old family scion Galen Weston Jr., puts his stamp on leadership. Loblaw spokesman Geoff Wilson said there will be more executive changes as Mr. Weston Jr., the executive chairman, continues to look at ways to streamline his company and restock his management ranks. Source: Lana Holmes & Associates Ltd. with Tim Carter & Associates Inc. Globe and Mail - 01/06/07