The news that Shoppers Drug Mart has appointed former McKesson Canada executive Domenic Pilla as its new president and CEO not only is significant news in its own right, but also is important as Pilla will inherit a chain that is wrestling with the impact of drug reforms in several provinces and faces its share of competitive challenges.
Shoppers Drug Mart posted a 2.7% boost in first-quarter sales, driven by strong front-store sales gains that benefited from marketing campaigns, promotions and market share gains of the company's core health, beauty and convenience categories.
The abrupt departure of Shoppers Drug Mart president and CEO Jürgen Schreiber announced Wednesday is expected to negatively impact the company’s stock — many investors bought into Shoppers on the faith that retail maven Schreiber would return Canada’s largest drug retailer to consistent quarter-over-quarter growth.