OTTAWA, ON – April 24, 2009 – Metro, Ontario’s largest grocery chain, is proud to announce the launch of the brand in the Ottawa area with the opening of the city’s first nine stores. Formerly known as Loeb in the Ottawa region, the new Metro stores will showcase ‘food at its best,’ providing customers with an array of high value grocery options that will appeal to consumers in today’s challenging economic climate. Twenty Metro stores, in total, will open in the Ottawa region by the beginning of June.

 

“Ottawa grocery shoppers will see that Metro has everything they have grown to love about their community grocer, only now with an enhanced offering,” said Eric La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metro Inc. “Our unwavering focus on quality food, convenient store locations, and a knowledgeable staff will ensure the needs of all our customers are met."   

 

Located in the heart of communities across Ottawa, Metro’s stores are the embodiment of the company’s commitment to offering customers the best food at the greatest value. The layout of the stores has been enhanced with approximately $22 million in upgrades to evoke a community market feel, make it easier for shoppers to find what they need, and to best showcase the offer.

 

Where Metro truly stands apart is in five key areas, including the finest quality selections in meat, bakery, floral, its own private label brands,Irresistibles and Selection, and home meal replacement (HMR). Perhaps one of the most exiting enhancements, the HMR category was developed under Metro’s exclusive Fresh 2 Go brand. These prepared meals offer time-pressed and health-conscious customers nutritious ready-made meal solutions for the whole family. All of Metro’s offerings cater to consumers for whom fresh and healthy food choices – and the convenience of finding them in one place – are a priority. Recent survey data indicates that as many as 55 per cent of Ontarians do not have enough time to prepare healthy, nutritious meals every night of the week.¹

 

Value has never been as important as it is in today’s challenging economic times. For the first time in Ottawa, shoppers will be able to collect and redeem AIR MILES at their community grocery store. All Metro stores participate in the popular AIR MILES rewards program, allowing customers to take off with all the savings and benefits. On every purchase, Metro shoppers will have the opportunity to earn AIR MILES, which can later be redeemed for free groceries.

 

Another unique value program, offered exclusively at Metro, is Red Flag Savings. Designed to ensure ‘the savings go on for aisles,’ the program offers shoppers deals on items customers buy every week. Highlighted in weekly flyers, shoppers will find Red Flag savings on staples like meat, eggs, juice, bread and milk. In addition, Metro’s award winning private labels brands, Irresistibles and Selection, offer premium foods without the premium prices.

 

Metro may be a new name in groceries for Ontarians, but the company has a rich history in Canada’s food industry. In 2008, the province’s Dominion, Ultra and The Barn stores were converted to Metro, while all A&P and Loeb stores are currently in the process of transitioning to the new name. When the banner consolidation program is complete, Ontario’s Metro network will consist of 159 stores.

Ottawa region consumers are invited to visit their nearest Metro at the following locations:

 

·         March Road Market, 4048 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

·         Island Park Market, 345 Carleton Avenue, Ottawa

·         Lincoln Heights, 1360 Richmond Road, Ottawa

·         Casselman Market, 21 Richer Circle, Casselman

·         Greenbank Market, 250 Greenbank Road, Nepean

·         Stafford Market, 3655 Richmond Road, Nepean

·         Chapman Mills Market, 3201 Strandherd Drive, Nepean

·         Merivale Market, 1705 Merivale Road, Nepean

·         Cornwall Market, 1400 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall

 

Metro is a Canadian company with offices and operations in both Ontario and Quebec.   Metro Ontario Inc. operates its 272 stores under three conventional banners, Metro, A&P and Loeb and under one discount banner, Food Basics. In 2009, all existing A&P and Loeb banners will be converted to the Metro name. The company employs over 30,000 people in Ontario. For further information, please visit metro.ca.

 

 

 

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Selena Fiacco
Director, Communications
Metro Ontario Inc.

416-234-6081
Selena.Fiacco@Metro.ca