CBJ — Former Canadian Tire boss Michael Medline (pictured) is the new CEO of Sobeys at a time when it struggles to digest a three-year-old $5.8-billion takeover of Canada Safeway.

Empire Co, the parent of Sobeys, announced that Medline has been appointed president and CEO of both Empire and Sobeys, effective immediately, following “an extensive international search.”

Medline replaces François Vimard, who served as interim president and chief executive officer since last July after former Chief Executive Marc Poulin was fired soon after Empire booked an almost $1.3billion impairment charge on its Western Canadian assets in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

@CanBizJournal