2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Annie St-Laurent (Q&A)
Annie St-Laurent
Vice-President, Private Label
Metro Inc.
How did you get your start in the grocery business?
I started working in the grocery industry as a replenishment assistant while I was still a student. I quickly realized how dynamic and essential this industry is. It’s an industry that has a direct impact on people’s daily lives and is constantly evolving to adapt to consumer needs and trends. From the beginning, I was drawn to the fast pace of change, the opportunities for innovation and that you never stop learning.
What keeps you passionate about your work?
What fuels my passion is creating brands that truly matter, by taking a 360-degree approach—from concept to the consumer’s shopping cart. I drive innovation, use cross-functional collaboration and continuously test and refine our products to influence the choices consumers make every day.
I focus on developing products that combine quality, value and relevance, addressing consumers’ needs—whether related to taste, health or affordability. Ultimately, my goal is to create long-term value while making a tangible impact on everyday life.
What is a career challenge you've faced and how did you overcome it?
One of the main challenges lies in navigating an increasingly complex environment, where consumer expectations are changing rapidly, while also having to deal with constraints related to supplier costs and supply chain issues. It is essential to constantly strike the right balance between quality, price, innovation and feasibility.
This challenge is expected to intensify in the coming years. It will, therefore, be critical to strengthen existing partnerships, remain closely connected to consumer insights and maintain the agility needed to make informed and timely decisions.
Best career advice you've received?
Always stay close to the consumer. In our industry, that’s truly the foundation of everything—understanding what matters most to customers and making sure every decision reflects that. At the same time, staying curious and open to learning is essential, because this is a fast-moving industry where adaptation is key
How would you describe your leadership style?
Collaborative, results-oriented and highly cross-functional. The private-label sector works closely with many teams—merchandising, marketing, procurement, quality, finance and operations—so my role is to align all these areas around a shared vision. I also believe in the need to build committed, creative and solution-oriented teams, as they are the driving force behind innovation and the source of value for our customers.
What has been your best day on the job?
My best days are when we see a new product come to life—for the first time in store and, most importantly, when it resonates with consumers. It’s often a long and collaborative journey, so seeing the result and the impact on customers is incredibly rewarding.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring new food experiences. Food is at the core of what I do, so discovering new trends, flavours and concepts is both a personal passion and a source of inspiration for my work.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I truly believe the grocery industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and private labels are playing an increasingly important role. They are no longer just alternatives—they are becoming destination brands that drive innovation, respond to evolving expectations around health, sustainability and experience. At Metro, our ambition is to continue building strong, differentiated brands that create meaningful and lasting value for all types of customers.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.