Loblaw chief operating officer to retire

After a 38 year-career at Loblaw Companies Limited, chief operating officer Grant Froese is retiring April 14. His successor has not been named.

Froese started with the company as a grocery clerk in Winnipeg in 1978. He has held a number of positions at Loblaw, overseeing such functions as marketing, merchandising, IT, supply chain, off-shore procurement and ecommerce.

He was promoted to his most current position in 2014, when executive chairman Galen G. Weston announced he would take on a greater leadership role at the family-run company.

“It goes without saying that Grant’s longevity and contribution have been remarkable, even in the context of a century-old company like ours, which encourages long service,” said Weston in a memo announcing Froese’s retirement.

“I hope you’ll join me and Grant’s management board peers to wish him well as he turns his attention to his family and the pursuit of other entrepreneurial interests,” he continued.