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Metro names new president for Jean Coutu Group pharmacy arm

Jean-Michel Coutu to take over from Alain Champagne next month

Russell Redman

August 19, 2022

2 Min Read
Jean Coutu drugstore-exterior.jpg
Plans call for Jean-Michel Coutu, the grandson of founder Jean Coutu, to take the reins from current Jean Coutu Group President Alain Champagne on Sept. 26.Jean Coutu

Jean-Michel Coutu has been appointed president of The Jean Coutu Group, the pharmacy division of Canadian food and drug retailer Metro Inc.

Plans call for Coutu to take the reins from current Jean Coutu Group President Alain Champagne on Sept. 26, Montreal-based Metro said. Champagne, who has served in the role since May 2019, is leaving the company to become president and CEO of Le Groupe Maurice, a senior housing development firm based in Montreal.

Jean-Michel Coutu is the grandson of Jean Coutu Group founder Jean Coutu. Metro acquired the Quebec drug chain in a $4.5 billion (Canadian) deal that was announced in October 2017 and closed in May 2018. The agreement added about 420 Jean Coutu drugstores to Metro’s approximately 260 retail pharmacies under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

Metro noted that Coutu has been with the company since 2009 after working in the industry for several years.

“As a pharmacist and a business executive who has worked in the United States and Canada, he has deep knowledge of the industry, our operations and our opportunities,” Metro stated. “Mr. Coutu will continue to execute our strategy and business plans, which have allowed Metro to remain the leader in pharmacy in Quebec through our Jean Coutu and Brunet banners while supporting the success of the pharmacists owners affiliated to our banners.”

Related:Metro maintains sales uptick in third quarter

Alain Champage-Metro-Jean Coutu Group_from Le Groupe Maurica.jpgAccording to Metro, Champagne (pictured left) will work closely with Coutu until the end of September to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Le Group Maurice reported that Champagne is slated to take the helm in October.

Champagne came to Jean Coutu Group effective May 31, 2019, with the retirement of François Coutu, son of Jean Coutu. Previously, Champagne served as partner and CEO at sales training and development firm Optimé International after spending more than six years as president of McKesson Canada. Earlier, he spent more than 11 years in regional vice president and sales roles at PepsiCo/Frito-Lay.

Metro noted that Champagne played a pivotal role in the integration of Jean Coutu Group.

“Since joining Metro in 2019, Mr. Champagne has successfully led the combination of the Jean Coutu Group and Metro, delivering the synergies required while ensuring the profitable growth of our banners,” Metro stated. “He leaves our pharmacy division, our banners and our pharmacists owners well-positioned for the future. We thank him for his contributions and leadership and wish him well in his new position.”

Currently, Metro’s retail base in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick includes more than 960 food stores under the Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis, Marché Richelieu and Première Moisson banners as well as about 650 drugstores and pharmacies under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners.

Related:Loblaw, Metro to eliminate single-use plastic shopping bags

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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