Jean Coutu Group in talks for possible acquisition by METRO Inc.

Montreal, CA, 2017-Oct-03 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (TSX: PJC.A) and METRO Inc. (TSX: MRU) have announced today that they are engaged in exclusive discussions regarding a combination agreement through which the shares of the Jean Coutu Group would be acquired by METRO at a price of $24.50 per share, payable through a combination of cash, as to 75% of the consideration, and METRO shares, as to 25% of the consideration. This price was established in the course of negotiations between the parties preceding the execution of a non binding letter of intent dated August 22, 2017. The Coutu family has indicated its intention to support the proposed transaction.

The transaction remains subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements. Any definitive transaction will be subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions usual in this type of transaction. There are no guarantees that any transaction will be concluded and that the conditions to which it is subject would be met. The Jean Coutu Group and METRO will inform stakeholders and the public of significant developments regarding the proposed combination.

The parties will not comment any further.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and which are based on Metro and the Jean Coutu Group’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that were made by Metro and the Jean Coutu Group in light of their experience and perception of historical trends. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect Metro and the Jean Coutu Group’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. Metro and the Jean Coutu Group expressly disclaim any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by the applicable securities laws.

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Sources: Metro Inc.

Hélène Bisson, Vice President, Communications, The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
Marie-Claude Bacon, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Department, METRO Inc.

Jean Coutu Group launches flu shot awareness campaign

Varennes, Quebec, 2016-Oct-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (the “Jean Coutu Group” or “Corporation”) and its affiliated pharmacist owners have launched a flu shot awareness campaign. Under the theme “Protect Your Health and That of Your Loved Ones,” the campaign aims to support the public health effort for flu prevention. The flu shot will be available in more than 300 stores in the Jean Coutu network throughout Quebec, in Ontario and New Brunswick.

Starting October 4, patients can make an appointment at the store, by phone or online at healthappointment.jeancoutu.com. On the website, it is easy to find a store nearby that offers the service, choose a convenient time slot and send an online appointment request for one or several people at a time.

“Flu season is upon us. We are very pleased to make the flu shot available in many of the stores in our network. The vaccination remains the best way to protect your health and that of your loved ones,” explains Richard Mayrand, Executive Vice-President, Pharmacy and Government Affairs.

Accessible to Everyone
It is especially important for certain population groups, such as people with chronic illnesses and those over 60, to receive the vaccine.  A list of these groups is available on the Jean Coutu website at: healthappointment.jeancoutu.com.

Watch the “Protect Your Health and That of Your Loved Ones” campaign video:
https://youtu.be/8MxlWnpQgHQ

Note: The flu vaccination service is under the responsibility of a nurse or a pharmacist, depending on the province in which the store is located.

About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Corporation operates a network of 420 franchised stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, which employs more than 20,000 people. Furthermore, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd (“Pro Doc”), a Quebec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs.

Information:

Hélène Bisson
Vice President, Communications
450 646-9611, ext. 1165
hbisson@jeancoutu.com

Frédéric D. Tremblay
Director, Public Relations and Social Media
450 646-9611, ext. 1400
ftremblay@jeancoutu.com

Source: The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

The Jean Coutu Group intends to contest the class action filed by a group of pharmacist-owners operating under the banner Jean Coutu

Varennes, Québec, 2016-Jul-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (the “Corporation” or the “Jean Coutu Group”) confirms that it has received early this afternoon a copy of the class action proceedings launched against the Jean Coutu Group and filed by a group of pharmacist-owners operating under the banner Jean Coutu.

The Jean Coutu Group intends to contest this action and present its arguments in the context of these legal proceedings.

No other comments will be issued until then.

About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Corporation operates a network of 420 franchised stores in Québec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, which employs over 20,000 people. Furthermore, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd (“Pro Doc”), a Québec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and which are based on the Corporation’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that were made by the Corporation in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Canadian securities legislation and regulations. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “project”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements do not reflect the potential impact of any nonrecurring items that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. While the list below of cautionary statements is not exhaustive, some important factors that could affect the Corporation’s future operating results, financial position and cash flows and could cause its actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements are changes in the legislation or the regulatory environment as it relates to the sale of prescription drugs and the pharmacy exercise, the success of the Corporation’s business model, changes in laws and regulations, or in their interpretations, changes to tax regulations and accounting pronouncements, the cyclical and seasonal variations in the industry in which the Corporation operates, the intensity of competitive activity in the industry in which the Corporation operates, the supplier and brand reputations, the Corporation’s ability to attract and retain pharmacists, labour disruptions, including possibly strikes and labour protests, the accuracy of management’s assumptions and other factors that are beyond the Corporation’s control. These and other factors could cause the Corporation’s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting in understanding the Corporation’s financial position and results of operation and to present information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Investors and others are thus cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and they should not place undue reliance on them. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that would cause the Corporation’s actual results to differ from current expectations, please also refer to the Corporation’s public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.jeancoutu.com. Further details and descriptions of these and other factors are disclosed in the Corporation’s Annual Information Form under “Risk Factors” and also in the “Critical accounting estimates”, “Risks and uncertainties” and “Strategies and outlook” sections of the Corporation’s annual management’s discussion and analysis. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the Corporation’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. The Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by the applicable securities laws.

Information:

Hélène Bisson
Vice-President, Communications
(450) 646-9611, Ext. 1165

Source: The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

Jean Coutu Group to hold press conference and guided tour of the distribution center on July 5, 2016

Varennes, Quebec,, 2016-Jul-05 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (the “Corporation” or the “Jean Coutu Group”) wishes to remind media that representatives of the Jean Coutu Group will meet the press after the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. A guided tour of the distribution center will be organized for media representatives after the press conference.

What: Press conference and guided tour of the distribution center.

When: Tuesday, July 5, 2016, around 10:30 a.m.

Where: The Jean Coutu Group Head Office. 245 Jean Coutu Street, Varennes, Quebec

About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. operates a network of 420 franchised drugstores in Canada located in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario (under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique and PJC Santé Beauté) and employs more than 20,000 people. The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmaacy retailing.

Contact:
Hélène Bisson
Vice-President, Communications
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
(450) 646-9611, Extension 1165
hbisson@jeancoutu.com

Source: The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

The Jean Coutu Group sets its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday July 5, 2016

Varennes, Quebec, 2016-Jun-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (the “Corporation” or the “Jean Coutu Group”) wishes to remind the public that its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Tuesday July 5, 2016, at 9:30 am ET at the Head Office of the Corporation, 245 Jean Coutu Street, Varennes, Quebec.

The Meeting will also be webcasted on the corporate website at www.jeancoutu.com.

Representatives of the Jean Coutu Group will meet the press after the Meeting.

What: Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

When: Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Where: The Jean Coutu Group Head Office. 245 Jean Coutu Street, Varennes, Quebec

Annual General Meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.
A press meeting will be held following the Meeting (around 10:30 a.m.)

About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. operates a network of 420 franchised drugstores in Canada located in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario (under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique and PJC Santé Beauté) and employs more than 20,000 people. The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing.

Contact:

Hélène Bisson
Vice-President, Communications
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
(450) 646-9611, Extension 1165
hbisson@jeancoutu.com

Source: The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.