The Montreal-based company reported $5.11 billion in sales in its second quarter, which ended on March 14. Net earnings rose 12.1 per cent year on year to $246.6 million. The company credited its performance to growth in its discount store network as well as higher sales in its pharmacies. (The Logic)

Talking point: As my colleague Aleksandra has reported, discount stores have become a key strategy for Canada’s grocers as rising living costs put pressure on household budgets. Metro, Loblaw and Empire—the parent company of Sobeys—opened 61 new discount stores in their last fiscal years, and plan to add at least another 49 this year. Metro said it is negotiating with suppliers to try to delay increases to food prices despite the rising cost of gas and supply chain snarls resulting from the war on Iran. The company also warned it expects a strike that began March 30 at its produce distribution centre in Laval, Que., to weigh on next quarter’s results.