Home improvement store Canac is accelerating its growth and will invest $20 million to open a 40,000-square-foot store in Sorel in spring 2024.
Construction work will start in August.
The Quebec group, known for its low prices, opened a branch in Contrecoeur last year and is now resuming its rapid pace of growth after a slowdown caused by the pandemic. The company currently has 32 branches in the provinces and employs 5,000 people.
Photo courtesy of Canac
In September, Canac will also open a new delivery center on the south coast of Quebec. This allows the retailer to better serve entrepreneurs and individuals in the area without having to systematically cross bridges to get to Lévis and the Chaudière-Appalaches region.
“Before the pandemic, we could open up to 2 new branches per year. But with the new reality of deliveries and a major digital transformation, we’ve had to slow down a bit and only open one store a year for the past three years. With those elements behind us, we are looking towards more sustainable growth thanks to the new markets to be explored, either already in our land portfolio or still under negotiation,” explains Director Martin Gamache, Managing Director of Canac.
Mr Gamache, who has held all operational positions over the years, was appointed last year to lead growth and ensure the transition to the next generation of Laberge family owners as the management committee rejuvenates.