L’ENTREPÔT RONA GATINEAU (LE PLATEAU) WINNER

This RONA in the Plateau neighbourhood of Gatineau opened in 2005. Ten years later, it became a corporately owned store.

Just across the river from Ottawa, Gatineau’s local economy is primarily based on the federal public service. Competition is high, with at least five other stores within 15 kilometres. But the store has managed to see steady sales increases and turns over the last few years. And it’s been growing its online presence—since RONA launched its e-commerce site in 2016, the Le Plateau store saw web sales grow 30 percent in just one year.

They’ve also been pushing installed sales through the SmartLowe’s program, and appliance sales were projected to account for huge numbers in 2019.

Employees work hard and management makes sure to recognize them for it. Employees train continuously with a plan tailored to their position and professional growth. Full-time staff members are entitled to life, dental and drug insurance. And at the beginning of each school year, employees who are full-time students are offered scholarships ranging from $300 to $500.

Manager Christian Leduc says the store’s former owner, Martin Lacasse, felt strongly about being involved in the community, and his legacy of mutual support and generosity continues to guide the store to this day.

The Le Plateau store takes community involvement to a new level. It all started in 2011 when the local food bank, Moisson Outaouais, was unable to keep up with demand—one out of 27 citizens and one in three children were going hungry—and they needed help.

The store started selling bricks for $5 to help Moisson Outaouais build a new warehouse. Together with another RONA store, it sold 20,000 bricks, raising $100,000. And in 2014, the store started a lottery and partnered with other retailers to raise more funds. In the lotto’s first year, they actually ran out of tickets.

The lotto has now become a major event in the area. It’s promoted widely in the news, and local sports teams have even been known to show up at the store to support the initiative.

Last year, the store raised a record-breaking $75,000. And since 2014, they’ve raised more than $300,000 for the food bank.

While the lotto is the store’s main charitable focus, staff still make time for other initiatives. In 2018, the store raised money to help renovate a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. And staff donated more than 300 hours of work to revamp the house.

They also contribute annually to the Children’s Miracle Network and the Charles-Bruneau Foundation for pediatric cancer. Christian says it’s important to note that everyone on staff gets involved in community work in one way or another.

In 2019, their efforts were recognized by Lowe’s Canada with the Community Engagement Award. Staff were presented with a trophy, $1,000 to plan a celebration and $5,000 to spend on a community project.

WINNER 2019 Outstanding Retailer Awards