Market News

Alain Brisebois Heads A&P Canada

Alain Brisebois, Metro Inc. senior vice-president and 18-year veteran of the company, has moved to Toronto to take the helm at A&P Canada. In addition to running Metro Inc.'s $1.7-billion acquisition, Brisebois will spearhead the anticipated integration effort. Metro expects to reduce annual costs by $60-million in the process of integrating the A&P stores. In an exclusive interview with Canadian Grocer, Brisebois said Metro Inc. expects to complete integration within 24 months. "It's my main priority," said Brisebois. Looking for synergies and IT implementation will be top of mind, said the new head of A&P Canada. "We (Metro and A&P) have similar strategies. We have similar focus on discount and fresh. As well, we have two strong management teams. The integration should be straightforward. There is a bit of 'culture' difference but there's no overlap. We are pretty much complementary," Brisebois said. He added that the integration will provide diversification and scale, making the company number two in Canada's two largest markets. "There will be significant operational upside too," said Brisebois. Earlier this week Brisebois met A&P Canada's senior management team to explain the integration plan. "A letter will be sent to all employees very soon to explain the integration plan," he said. "At the end of two years the synergies of the two groups and the IT integration will make for a better corporation . . . We will pick the best practices of both Metro and A&P, rather than make A&P become Metro. A&P Canada will retain its name but drop the 'Limited,' since it's now a division of Metro Inc.," said Brisebois. There will be no change in A&P executive structure, said Brisebois. Referring to the widely speculated change in the name of either discount chain Super C in Quebec or that of Food Basics in Ontario, Brisebois said, "First we will assess . . . One of the first major steps of integration would be to look at Super C and to Food Basics." "This is a great personal challenge. I am very enthusiastic about the challenge to create a new powerhouse. We will keep A&P growing . . . To make it stand alone and grow by itself. We will definitely make a lot of noise," said Brisebois. Robert Sawyer, vice-president, retail operations, Metro Inc., succeeds Brisebois. Both will report to COO Eric la Fleche. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter,August 19, 2005.