SAQ Dépôt regular customers are in for a surprise in November: the discounts offered in the 10 branches will become less attractive. This is one of the first gestures of the new head of the Société des alcohols du Québec (SAQ).
• Also read: New price increase at SAQ
“It’s not an easy decision. We want to announce it now so that customers can anticipate if necessary,” says Jacques Farcy, who has been at the helm of the state-owned company since the end of June.
Currently at SAQ Dépôt stores you can get a 10% discount when you buy six bottles and a 15% discount when you buy 12 bottles. This discount will increase from 10% to 5% and from 15% to 10% in November.
The SAQ wants to respond to public health concerns, says the box boss, while “it may no longer be relevant to offer big discounts on alcohol in 2023”.
The decision comes after the SAQ’s worst quarter in 10 years.
“We certainly won’t achieve record sales this year,” admits the new CEO.
Reducing these discounts is therefore also a way for the SAQ to “deal with them”. [ses] economic requirements.
Jacques Farcy gave his first interviews as CEO of the SAQ this week. TOMA ICZKOVITS
Too complex
Jacques Farcy’s five-year term begins in a difficult environment. “It is normal that alcohol is not on the priority list of people whose income is shrinking due to inflation,” he says.
One of his wishes is to simplify the SAQ’s workflow, which he says is sometimes too complicated.
“The rules governing the alcohol trade with international agreements, for example, are a bit complex,” says Mr Farcy.
For this man who has spent his professional life in retail – until recently he was head of the SQDC – customer satisfaction remains the priority.
He recalls that 80% of Quebecers consume alcohol and that it is a very important market – the SAQ achieved sales of $4 billion in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
“As a French native, I have never seen a retailer that offers so much choice and variety,” assures Jacques Farcy.
End of severance pay
The departure of her predecessor Catherine Dagenais caused a stir as she left with a transitional allowance of $450,000.
Mr. Farcy terminated this severance package upon his arrival. He will earn $528,215, 13.5% more than Ms. Dagenais.
The new boss must also renew the collective agreement of the 5,400 employees of the SAQ Store and Office Employees Union, which expired on March 31.
Some employees are currently exerting pressure and no longer wearing their uniforms in the branch.
“It is certain that it will be resolved. We have just brought a mediator to the negotiating table and everything is going well,” he assures us.
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