GEM is Metro‘s largest convenience store banner, with most of them located in the Quebec regions, especially in the eastern part of the province.

According to Metro, this concept of independent convenience stores offers a grocery section designed to meet the special needs of customers. The banner has flexible guidelines to meet retailers’ operating requirements. Some stores offer bakery products, delicatessen items, pastries, prepared meals, fruits and vegetables, and frozen products. 

Affiliated independent owners are supplied by Distagro’s Metro warehouse in St-Jean-Port-Joli, which is still owned by Metro (the other, the Distagro warehouse in Boucherville, was sold by Metro in 2012 to the U.S. based Sysco, according to Radio-Canada).

Type of Franchise

Although the number of GEM depanneurs in Quebec is quite high (almost 300), most of them do not display the GEM brand and that, without losing any of their rights and privileges in terms of promotions and discounts. Indeed, GEM does not require that the affiliated owner display its banner and, consequently, does not invest in its equity. This is called a “ghost banner” in retail jargon. Thus, there is no GEM website, GEM facebook page, or even a GEM weekly flyer. GEM is therefore basically a supply banner that allows independant retailers access to food products at wholesale prices.

Name:	GEM
Ranking (banners):	3th of 63
Number of stores:	287
Franchisor:	Metro
Description:	Banner of rural convenience stores
Business Model:	Type D) Affiliated independent store (banner)
Head Office:	Montréal