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This represents a significant investment and renews RONA’s commitment towards an iconic brand in Canada
RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, is starting its transition plan to make RONA the leader of the Canadian home improvement sector.
Today, RONA is announcing the beginning of the Lowe's stores’ conversion to the RONA banner, an iconic brand that has served communities across the country since its founding in Québec in 1939. The conversions will start at the end of July 2023 and will take place over several months. The first ten Lowe’s stores to be converted, all located in Ontario, are the following:
- Lowe’s Ancaster
- Lowe’s Brantford
- Lowe’s Cambridge
- Lowe’s Hamilton
- Lowe’s Kitchener
- Lowe’s Niagara Falls
- Lowe’s Sarnia
- Lowe’s Waterloo
- Lowe’s Windsor
- Lowe’s Windsor East
All Lowe’s stores that will be converted, will bear the brand-new RONA+ banner. "This is an important step in our vision for the future of RONA,” explained Catherine Laporte, Vice-President, Marketing at RONA inc. “With these conversions, we are making a significant investment and renewing our commitment to the RONA brand. The new RONA+ banner is the first step in a wider plan aimed at redefining how Canadians shop for home improvement, creating new opportunities to improve how we serve them.”
RONA’s priority during this transition is to provide the best possible experience for their home improvement DIY and contractor customers. Employees will continue to serve them with the same passion and expertise. All converted stores will remain open during the conversions, guarantees offered by Lowe’s will be honoured, gift cards will still be accepted and private brands will remain in the stores’ offering. RONA will also continue to maintain its commitment to Canadian vendors and its affiliated dealer network, who are a key component of the company’s vision.
“This news is positive for all our stakeholders, including RONA’s employees, affiliated dealers, vendors, customers and the communities in which RONA’s operates,” added Laporte. “For close to 85 years now, RONA has been a household name standing for great service, exciting product and brand assortments, good value, and a strong sense of community. We want to build on that and create momentum for this beloved Canadian-operated brand. We recently redefined the mission of the RONA Foundation, which plays an essential role in the vision we have for the future of RONA, a leader that not only challenges and improves how the industry serves Canadians, but who also shows up in meaningful ways to support communities across the country.”
Specific announcements will be made locally closer to the date of the first conversions. To share this news on social media, please use @RONAcarrieres.careers (Facebook), @RONA (LinkedIn), and @RONAinc (Twitter).
Andrew Iacobucci Appointed Chief Executive Officer of RONA inc.
RONA inc. announced the appointment of Andrew Iacobucci to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
With close to 30 years of experience, of which over 20 have been spent leading teams and executing strategic projects in retail and food distribution, Andrew brings a unique set of skills that will support RONA’s long-term profitability and success. He has an acute understanding of how to successfully operate complex organizations that combine large multi-format stores and a strong dealer network, all operating within large distribution systems. Prior to joining RONA, Andrew was Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at US Foods, a leading US food distribution company. In addition, he has held key executive positions in large scale retail distribution organizations across Canada and the United States.
“I am honoured to join RONA, a strong company and brand that have been serving Canadians for close to 85 years,” said Andrew Iacobucci. “I look forward to working with the teams to bring the company’s vision to life and help set the foundation for success well into the future.”
Andrew will be residing in the Boucherville area, where he will work at the head office alongside the other members of RONA's Senior Leadership Team. Andrew had the chance to learn French during his studies and, by the time his nomination becomes effective in July, he will have completed a four-week immersion with a language school in Québec City to better interact with employees and customers. Garry Senecal, who occupied the role of Interim CEO, has agreed to stay with RONA until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
RONA inc. Announces New Structure to Strengthen its Position in the Market
This change resulted in the elimination of 500 positions within the RONA network in Canada
RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, has decided to simplify its organizational structure to strengthen its position on the market and be more efficient.
In light of the current economic downturn, RONA, like other organizations that recently announced restructurings, needed to adapt to reflect new market realities. The organization firmly believes that its transition plan aimed at positioning RONA as the leader of the Canadian home improvement industry will support its viability and benefit stakeholders in the long run.
This resulted in the elimination of 500 positions within the RONA network in Canada. Decisions like these are never taken lightly as they impact the organization’s employees and their families. Employees affected by this change will be supported throughout this transition. The company’s head office will remain in Boucherville, on the South Shore of Montréal.
With this new structure, RONA, who has been serving Canadians for close to 85 years, since its founding in Québec in 1939, wants to further simplify the way it operates to reinvest in this strong and vibrant brand and create new opportunities to improve how Canadians shop for home improvement.
About RONA inc.
RONA inc. is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers headquartered in Boucherville, Québec. The RONA inc. network operates or services some 450 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick’s Lumber banners. With a long and rich history, RONA inc. supports Canadians in their home improvement and construction projects since 1939. To achieve this, the company relies on a team of 26,000 employees, to whom it strives to provide an inclusive workplace where everyone is invited to contribute. RONA inc. is one of the Montréal region Top Employers since 2021. As a result of its ongoing efforts in sustainable development, the company was also awarded the Stratégie de développement durable Mercury in 2022 and is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. To learn more about the company, visit the website www.ronainc.ca.
For more information:
Media Relations
RONA inc. 514-599-5900, ext. 52711-866-566-3342 media@rona.ca
