Starting today, it will be even easier to know that a particular product is local when you visit the hardware store or outdoor store. The organization Les Produits du Québec has just added new retailers to its partners.
• Also read: The “Produits du Québec” certification is being expanded to include food
“Everything still needs to be built, but things are moving forward and we are proud of the progress we have made,” says Elfi Morin, who has led the NPO since its founding just over a year ago.
The three certification marks – produced, manufactured or designed in Quebec – will now be visible at BMR, SAIL, DeSerres and JC Perreault.
They have been represented at Jean Coutu, Brunet, La Vie en Rose and Souris Mini for 12 months.
Archive photo, Chantal Poirier
“The retail sector is important to us because our logos can be seen better there,” explains the NPO boss.
Nothing is nicer, she says, than arriving at the hardware store and discovering that one brand of paint is local and another is not.
“If the price is the same, the chances are good that you will buy the product here, but you have to know that it comes from here,” explains Elfi Morin.
This is exactly what his team has been working on from the start: to make local products more visible and to give them a better chance of success on the shelf or online.
Archive photo, Chantal Poirier
A paid logo for manufacturers
Les Produits du Québec has so far awarded 141 companies one or other of its three certifications for a total of 53,000 products.
It’s no surprise that companies like Bleu Lavande, Adrien Gagnon and Cascades are involved.
Other companies that are less known to the general public but whose products are well known are also members.
“Each of the companies pays a membership fee that does not come with any promise of higher sales. They do it because they believe in it,” assures Ms. Morin.
Lavo’s example is obvious. You don’t know Lavo? Normal. But you certainly know La Parisienne, Arctic Power or Hertel, three product brands from Lavo.
“Les Produits du Québec logos will soon be added to our products. We believe in the mission. In addition to increased visibility, our membership also gives us a competitive advantage in Quebec, as competition from major international brands is very fierce,” explains François Woods, marketing manager at Lavo.
Elfi Morin goes in the same direction: Consumers who see the Produits du Québec logo next to these products will be more inclined to buy them, be it from BMR, Jean Coutu or Brunet.
The same goes for Avanti mattresses sold at JC Perreault or Laurentide mattresses sold at BMR.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to help consumers make logical decisions. We’ll carry on,” says Elfi Morin.
Cousin of the Blue Basket
The idea of the “Produits du Québec” certification marks dates back to when the Blue Basket became a private company in the summer of 2022.
The CAQ government of François Legault tried by all means to promote local purchasing and the NPO led by Ms. Morin is therefore supported by the federal state of Quebec.
Produits du Québec therefore has big names in its sales: the SAQ, the STM and Anges Québec, for example, all have a representative.
In its first year, the NPO has not been idle, as evidenced by the numerous verified products found at Jean Coutu. We’re talking about a total of more than 5,000 products, which not a single branch of the chain carries in full.
The process that begins with certification can therefore be improved, says Elfi Morin, so that more products are identified in the store.
“Of course we are also working on this aspect; it is important for the consumer,” she says.
Additional major retailers will be announced soon, along with a TV advertising campaign launching November 20th.
Quebec products in numbers
- 141 member companies
- 53,000 products verified
- 8 partner dealers
- 13 months of its existence
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