Following the recent appointment of Pierre St-Laurent as CEO, Empire Company Limited (Sobeys) is hitting the “refresh” button on its executive structure. The goal? A leaner, more agile organization that bridges the gap between what’s on the shelves and what’s in the customer’s cart.
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- The Customer Champion: Luc L’Archevêque takes the helm as Chief Customer Officer. By merging Marketing and Merchandising, Empire is betting that a single vision will lead to better promotions and a more cohesive brand experience. He will transition into the role fully as Sandra Sanderson prepares for retirement this summer.
- The Operations Architect: Julia Knox steps up as Chief Retail Officer. She’s taking on a massive portfolio that includes retail ops, supply chain, and central kitchens. She’ll pull double duty for the next year, finishing the company’s digital “tech overhaul” before focusing entirely on the floor and the warehouse.
- The Growth Specialist: Doug Nathanson is adding Pharmacy to his existing legal and development duties. Empire sees health and wellness as a major “untapped” revenue stream, and Nathanson is tasked with scaling it.
The “Why” Behind the Move
This isn’t just a game of musical chairs; it’s a strategic pivot. By consolidating leadership, St-Laurent is looking to:
- Break down silos: No more disconnect between the marketing team’s promises and the merchandising team’s inventory.
- Finish the Digital Mission: Keeping Knox in charge of tech for another year ensures the massive ERP and Dayforce rollouts don’t lose momentum.
- Refine the “Fresh” Edge: Bringing Farm Boy’s Jean-Louis Bellemare into an advisory role signals a doubling-down on high-quality perishables and private labels.
