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MONTREAL — The Jean Coutu Group has debuted its 400th store, located on Saint-Laurent Blvd. in Montreal’s Crémazie section.
The Canadian drug chain invested $1.1 million (Canadian), to build the 11,075-square-foot prototype store, which will employ 40 people.
“Maintaining our growth and keeping our position of leadership is essential,” said president and chief executive officer François Coutu. “We are proud to bring into our network a new store that was laid out according to a state-of-the-art concept that will satisfy our customers by offering them a friendly shopping experience in an environment that is both modern and warm.”
The outlet features a technologically advanced pharmacy, a Passion for Beauty boutique dedicated to cosmetics and a Photo Boutique with digital printing kiosks. The store also has a postal counter and offers home delivery.
Enhancement of pharmacy operations, a successful professional development program for affiliates and staff, work on professional information systems, and the marketing of professional services have highlighted the chain’s operations this year, Coutu said at the company’s annual meeting.
The retailer’s print and TV campaigns have been emphasizing its exclusive professional offerings, including its medication list service; travel health advisory service available in the “I’ve got travel fever” section of the stores as well as online; expired medication disposal service; and four options for renewing prescriptions.
Continued expansion is a prime objective for the current fiscal year, Coutu said, with 14 new pharmacies, four relocations, and 21 expansion and renovation projects under way or planned.
Jean Coutu’s network opened 20 drug stores, including nine relocations, and significantly remodeled or expanded 28 stores during fiscal 2012, ending the year with a total of 399 stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté banners.
Though the company’s focus is on growing in existing markets, a constant watch for acquisitions is being maintained.
Another objective for the remainder of 2012 is rewarding the chain’s best customers with Instant Reward promotions under the Air Miles loyalty card.
