Léger Marketing’s annual reputation ranking shows that Quebec consumers are responding positively to familiar brands. Léger VP Christian Bourque suggests the uncertainty of the pandemic makes stability and familiarity attractive.
“They’re mostly … old-timer retailers that people appreciate,” he said. “The same with home renovation, places that were open while everything else was closed are stuck in there. People are rewarding these types of businesses.”
Canadian Tire took the top spot both nationally and in Quebec, while IGA, Metro, and pharmacy chain Groupe Jean Coutu also featured in the top 10. RONA, which moved down in the rankings after its 2016 acquisition by Lowe’s, logged the second-biggest jump this year, rising by 20 points to number 15.
“Again, probably due to the context of the pandemic, people are saying, ‘Good ol’ Rona is still there,’” Bourque explained.
