THE JEAN COUTU GROUP UNVEILS ITS FIRST “GREEN” STORE

An investment of $ 4,000,000 was needed to realize the project

Longueuil, September 14, 2010 – The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. confirms yet again its status as leader in environmental matters in the retail pharmacy sector with the opening today of the first store of its network built according to environment protection standards. The new store is located on 1035 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street in Beloeil.

An investment of 4,000,000 dollars was required to realize the project. The pharmacy, with atotal area of 14,000 square feet, was designed according to the latest PJC concept. The environmental measures adopted to build the store aimed at protecting the air quality using low-emission materials (eco-source paint) and reducing energy consumption by using additional insulating material for the walls and the roof, the installation of very high efficiency air conditioning units and lighting system featuring automatic on and off light controls (motion detectors) and the introduction of water conservation sanitation facilities.

"We are very happy to integrate to our PJC Jean Coutu network of pharmacies an establishment designed to reflect the vision of the Jean Coutu Group and to meet the needs of our customers while reducing the impact of the building on the environment. The PJC Jean Coutu Pharmacies have always taken the lead in their sector of activity and this store is no exception. This pharmacy was fitted out in accordance with a concept that will satisfy our customers by offering them a friendly shopping experience in surroundings that are modern, warm and environmentally friendly" said François J. Coutu, President and Chief Executive Officer.

This is another initiative that confirms the Jean Coutu Group in its role as leader both in the retail pharmacy industry and in the protection of the environment. In December 2007, the company had made a concrete commitment to its environmental leadership stance by withdrawing voluntarily from its store shelves all the dishwashing detergents containing phosphates. Then in 2008, the company launched an exclusive line of environmentally friendly household products.

About The Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Company operates a network of 376 franchised stores located in the provinces of Québec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, and employs more than 17,000 people. Furthermore, as of December 2007, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd ("Pro Doc"), a Québec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs. The Company also holds a significant interest in Rite Aid Corporation ("Rite Aid") a national chain of drugstores in the United States with nearly 4,800 drugstores in 31 states and the District of Columbia.


Hélène Bisson
Vice-President, Communications
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
(450) 646-9611, Extension 1165
[email protected]

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