Former Canadian Tire CEO Michael Medline has been handed the duty of steering Sobeys onto stronger footing as the grocer struggles to digest its three-year-old $5.8-billion takeover of Canada Safeway.  

Empire Co. (EMPa.TO), the parent of Sobeys, announced on Thursday that Medline has been appointed president and CEO of both Empire and Sobeys, effective immediately. Medline is also joining Empire's board of directors.

"Michael Medline is an outstanding Canadian retailer who brings a passion for the customer experience and a proven ability to drive strong operating and financial performance within national organizations and across multiple brands," Empire Chair James Dickson said in a press release Thursday afternoon. "After an extensive international search, the board is unanimous in its determination that Michael is the right choice to create long-term value for all our stakeholders."

Medline replaces François Vimard, who served as interim president and chief executive officer since last July after former Chief Executive Marc Poulin was abruptly ousted less than two weeks after Empire booked a $1.29-billion impairment charge on its Western Canadian assets in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

Medline is joining less than a year after he was suddenly replaced as CEO of Canadian Tire by his predecessor, Stephen Wetmore.

Analysts at Scotiabank cautioned Medline will face a learning curve.

“Mr. Medline brings an inclusive leadership style and solid experience working within a family-controlled organization,” Scotiabank analyst Patricia Barker wrote in a note to investors. “While Mr. Medline has extensive experience and a deep understanding of Canadian retail, he will be new to the unique dynamics of the Canadian grocery industry.”  

EMPIRE TIMELINE

June 12, 2013: Company announces $5.8-billion takeover of Canada Safeway.

Nov. 4, 2013: Canada Safeway takeover closes.

Dec. 12, 2014: “We … are on schedule with our integration plan,” said then-CEO Marc Poulin in the Q2  fiscal year 2015 earnings release.

Sept. 9, 2015: Q1 fiscal year 16 net profit falls 11.6 per cent.

“Although we had identified the various risks associated with integration, including the amount and pace of change required, we underestimated the impact and the time needed for the organization to adapt to those changes. This had a clear and negative impact on our first quarter results," said Poulin in the earnings release. 

Dec. 8, 2015: Q2  fiscal year 16 net profit falls 41.4 per cent

“As anticipated, our second quarter results continued to trail performance versus the same period last year as the integration of Safeway continues to present challenges,” said Poulin in the earnings release.

March 9, 2016: Books $1.7B impairment charge in Q3 fiscal year 16; adjusted profit falls 30.4 per cent

“The challenges that we experienced in the first half of fiscal 2016 related to the integration of our Safeway business only intensified in the third quarter. In addition, increased promotional activity across the West as well as a difficult economic environment mainly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, resulted in sales erosion in our Safeway banner and West business unit," Poulin said in the earnings release

June 28 2016: Books $1.3B impairment charge in Q4 fiscal year 16; adjusted profit falls 30.3 per cent

“The previously reported challenges in Western Canada that have had a negative effect on our results over the past three quarters deepened through the fourth quarter...," said Poulin said in the earnings release.

July 8 2016: Poulin ousted as CEO, replaced by CFO François Vimard on interim basis.

Dec 4 2016: Q2 fiscal year 17 net profit falls 51.7 per cent.

The latest evidence of Empire's challenges came just last month when it posted a 51.7-per-cent plunge in its fiscal second-quarter profit. At the time, Vimard said management was looking to "advance both the scope and scale of cost reductions."

"I'm looking forward to working with our entire team to put together and execute on a strategy that will thrill our customers, build our brands, and excite our shareholders," Medline said in Empire's press release.

Vimard will remain with Empire as executive vice president.