Jean-Nicolas Tremblay, now vice-president and chief executive officer of IGA des Sources, is not the lineage of the won.
Employed in 2002, he rather climbed the ladder to oversee the operations of the eight stores affiliated with Sobeys, for three years. Always president, Alain Gagné watches his backs.
“When you have Alain won behind you, you are not afraid to go for it,” says Tremblay, seated alongside his partner. This is without forgetting the contribution of the three sons – Guillaume, Anthony and Vincent Gagné – who are now shareholders, in addition to playing various roles in the organization.
“When I was a store manager, I had Vincent who worked with me in meat. He was 15 years old at that time, “recalls Mr. Tremblay, about the youngest of siblings.
“Why have I fitness in this family? Our natural values are the same. “
— Jean-Nicolas Tremblay, vice-president and chief executive officer at IGA des Sources
In 1995, the first IGA branch of sources was born in the Cap-Rouge sector. This followed the opening of three stores and four acquisitions by the family of grocers. Although the independent retailer has gone from one to eight addresses, proximity remains his golden rule.
“For us, there is no“ you ”or“ sir ”. We operate with our people. We do not have the syndrome called the open false door of the managers. You know, the door is open, but do not come to see me, I do not have time, ”explains the vice-president, who sees in accessibility a guarantee of success.
“It’s funny: 1,250 employees, no human resources director. We are against almost all organizations. We were said to be said on several occasions, ”he adds, about their business model.
In front of the competition
With 30 years behind the tie, Alain Gagné was able to examine the evolution of the food industry closely. It is of the opinion that the market has become “saturated”.
“There is no site where we are alone,” he notes, stressing that competitors are multiple to each of his fall points.
With the current context, low-cost banners, he says, are more forward. “Discount stores in 2000, we didn’t have much. Now there are many. But there is still a banner that keeps its niche: it is us, ”argues the president.
The latter describes IGA of sources as a more traditional banner in service, which puts the variety of products, their quality and customer experience at the top.
“There is a good price structure, good service and a lot of varieties. The niche is good. There are still a lot of consumers who decide to have fun and say that I want to have a good experience, ”says her sidekick.
The strength of the won
Growing up your network while focusing on high -volume stores has been an “asset on the whole line” from the start, explains the president of IGA des Sources. “Even in our stores, which have experienced competitions and that profitability was less there, the group makes it swing.”
The force of the number also makes it possible to negotiate more advantageous prices. While respecting the circular of the parent company, the retailer can share it with its customers.
“What makes our strength is our purchasing power.”
— Alain Gagné, president of IGA of sources
Another advantage: having such a volume allows the independent grocer to seek products at the source.
“We have fishermen who fish directly for us in the Gaspé. We buy our lobster, our crab. Strawberries: the same case. India wheat, a guy from Neuville plants just for us, ”says Jean-Nicolas Tremblay.
Even if he tends to slow down, Mr. Gagné reports that he will probably never stop getting involved within the company. The door is not closed for new acquisitions. The most recent to be added to the network were the branches of Saint-Apollinaire and Sainte-Marie in 2022.
“We run, but we are more offered than you run after it,” notes the one built a reputation in the region.
IGA of sources in short
- Founded in 1995
- Eight branches: Cap-Rouge, Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Charlesbourg, Henri-Bourassa, Boischatel, Beauport, Sainte-Marie and Saint-Apollinaire
- 1,250 employees