Page 21 - Nov-Dec 2023

THE 31 st
ANNUAL HARDLINES

CONFERENCE

recently had the privilege of attending some of their other stores in the province. In firewood giveaways for other draws.
I the Annual Hardlines Conference at the 2001 she became an assistant to the finance They have a specialized design and layout
beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British department at Groupe BMR. At that time, she as well as scent machines in each store to
Columbia. This event featured a great mix re-enrolled at the University of Montreal and make people feel comfortable. The exclusive
of retailers, suppliers and building industry received her master’s degree. In 2004, at the scent has hints of tomato, basil, orange,
experts who came together to talk about the age of 27, Geneviève was named the general vanilla, and celery which are combined with
building materials sales industry and how manager of the family stores. She successfully a wood scent to create a soothing aroma for
collectively we can improve it. managed several new store acquisitions customers while shopping.
The two main speakers this year were and startups, growing the business to its Each store has several special traffic
Geneviève Gagnon, President of Gagnon La current five locations. These include two eco- builder programs. They give away store
Grande Quincaillerie and Marilyne and Sylvain friendly new builds in Saint-André-Avellin branded tee shirts, socks, and hats to build
LaFerriere from Ace Victory Building Centre and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. In 2007 she was their brand. They also offer a loyalty program
in Mackenzie, B.C. Their stories hold valuable named Young Retailer of the Year. Geneviève for contractors called G Plus. This program
lessons for those of us in the industry. continued to grow the business through the allows contractors to earn points which can
acquisition of a truss and floor plant, and they be redeemed at the gas station, the liquor
Gagnon La Grande Quincaillerie have added a distribution warehouse. In 2020 store or through Air Transat.
Geneviève Gagnon is the president of they left the BMR buying group to function Geneviève has a favourite saying, “Boots
a family-owned hardware and building as a true independent, choosing to distribute walk the talk”. She has clearly proven this to
materials retailer, started by her grandfather materials for other independent retailers. In be true with her success at Gagnon La Grande
in 1942 as a general store. The business grew 2022 Geneviève purchased the business from Quincaillerie.
under her father’s guidance. In 1973 they her father and became president.
converted the business to a hardware store. Geneviève literally “grew up in a Ace Victory Building Centre
In 1980 they joined the BMR buying group. lumber yard” since the family home stood in Marilyne and Sylvain LaFerriere from Ace
Her dad Yves Gagnon eventually became the same yard as her parents’ business, Bois Victory Building Centre in Mackenzie, B.C.
president and CEO of Groupe BMR Inc. de Construction Chénéville Inc. As a teenager, have had a different road to success in the
Geneviève worked at several international she already enjoyed working not only at the building materials industry. Their store Ace
businesses after graduating university before hardware store during the summer holidays, Victory Building Centre has been faced with
returning to work at the family’s hardware but also at the farm where they moved several critical issues that in a remote small
stores. She first was tasked by her father to when she was 6 years old. She still uses that town would seem insurmountable, but they
turn around an under-performing family farming experience today in her stores. They have persevered. Mackenzie, B.C., town of
branch store. Upon successfully guiding that run promotions that feature give-aways just 3,800 people, nestled in the foothills of
store, BMR asked her to work at transforming of beef from their family farm as well as the Rocky Mountains. It is a remote area, with

www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - November-December 2023 21