Retail Council of Canada to honour Longo's president Deb Craven

Deb Craven, president of Longo’s, is one of the recipients of the Retail Council of Canada’s Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Awards.

The award will also be presented to Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. president and CEO Alex Miller this year.

Craven joined Longo’s in 2019 as chief financial officer. She moved up the ranks to chief operating officer and, in May 2023, president—the first woman and non-Longo family member to hold the position.

Before Longo’s Craven held senior financial leadership roles at Purolator, Nike and Canadian Tire.

Under her leadership, the Empire Company banner has opened new stores, doubled its distribution centre and transitioned to the Voilà grocery delivery platform. 

“Deb Craven is the kind of leader who makes everyone around her better,” said Kim Furlong, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, in a press release. “She brought financial leadership and operational excellence to Longo’s at  a pivotal moment in the company’s history, and she has led it through a period of remarkable growth. Her commitment to her team, her community, and the customers she serves is exceptional. We are proud to  recognize her with this award.” 

Craven has served on the boards of The Learning  Partnership, Sagesse and Kids Help Phone, and is currently a board member of The Grocery Foundation.  She was also recognized as one of Canadian Grocer’s Star Women in Grocery in 2021. 

The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Awards will be presented to Craven and Miller at the Retail Council of  Canada’s Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on June 2 in Toronto.

The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will cap off the first day of RCCSTORE26, the organization’s retail conference.