"It's some heavy lifting for sure. We're going to manage through it."
In February, Metro started ramping up operations in its new semi-automated produce distribution centre in Toronto, he said.
A new fully-automated distribution centre for frozen foods is in the final stage of construction and will be commissioned over the coming months with a planned opening in January 2022, La Fleche said.
"It is always challenging to start a new distribution centre — even more so during a pandemic," he said. "But our team is doing a good job to manage the expected transition costs."
The Montreal-based company, which includes the Metro grocery store chain and Jean Coutu drugstores, is also planning to add more self-checkout kiosks this year.