Earlier this year, I announced the intention to create a dedicated Retail division, with a leader that would oversee the vision and strategy of LCBO’s retail network and enable us to keep improving our retail channel to help Ontarians discover the world of wines, beer, ciders, and spirits and support our modernization and operations. 

It is with great pleasure that I share with you, our valued Trade partners, that our new Chief Retail Officer (CRO) John Summers is joining the LCBO and my Core Team on August 30, 2021.

John brings to the LCBO a wealth of retail leadership experience, most recently as Vice President of Direct to Consumer for adidas group Canada, accountable for the management of all branded adidas and Reebok stores, and previously through progressively senior roles at Indigo, including Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, where he was responsible for driving sales, enriching the employee experience and delivering a fulsome customer experience in all Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores across the country.

John will act as an influential contributor to the LCBO’s overall business strategy and as a driving force of change and innovation across the organization. He will play an integral role in positioning the organization for continued success in an increasingly competitive market in which customers have expanding choices in where to purchase beverage alcohol.

John takes thoughtful, strategic approach, is a proven change-agent and innovator, and is committed to retail excellence. He is passionate about the people, partner, and customer experience and to best-serving and making a difference in our communities. Guided by clarity of process and his strategic and calm approach, John will be an inspirational leader to our Retail Operations, Retail Analytics & Insights, Store Operations & Support, and Resource Protection teams.

Rafik Louli, VP, Retail Operations, Karen Rossetti, Senior Director, Store Operations & Support, Nelson Tavares, Senior Director, Retail Planning, Analysis & Process Improvement, Marty Power, Director, Resource Protection, and Colette Pividori, Administrative Assistant, will report directly to John.

Leading our network of Regional Directors, and supported by the broader Retail division, Rafik Louli will continue to expertly focus on ensuring the most efficient retail support to the business, and continuously improving our service levels to our teams, partners, and customers within our stores across the province.

Our Marketing, e-Commerce, and Customer Experience teams continue to report to Vanda Provato, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, and Merchandising to VP of Merchandising Abhay Garg, who both report to me.

We look forward to introducing John more formally—in person I hope—in the coming weeks. I know he is looking forward to working alongside you.

Take care,

  • George Soleas, M.Sc., Ph.D., ICD.D
  • President & CEO, LCBO