Coop fédérée woos RONA dealers

MONTREAL — La Coop fédérée is positioning itself to pick up RONA’s affiliate dealers if they opt not to follow the banner into business with Lowe’s. According to CEO Gaétan Desroches, La Coop, which operates Groupe BMR and the Unimat retail chain, is in a “courtship phase” with independent RONA merchants. Interviewed by phone during the company’s AGM, Desroches told La Presse canadienne that RONA’s acquisition by Lowe’s could contribute to the expansion La Coop is seeking in Quebec. While acknowledging that other banners like Home Hardware will also be looking to scoop up affiliates, Desroches hopes to appeal to dealers who want to keep their business in Québec.