David Bloom, the former chairman and CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart, died on September 25 at age 76.
Bloom started working for the company in 1967 as a pharmacist in the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
In 1971, he joined the Shoppers’ management team as director of operations. He was then appointed president and CEO in 1983 and given the title of chairman in 1986. He served as chairman and CEO until his retirement in 2001.
During his time as chief executive, Bloom doubled the chain’s store count, quadrupled its sales and spawned a tenfold increase in earnings. He also launched the Shoppers Optimum Program in 2001, which has become one of Canada’s most popular customer loyalty programs.
Memorial donations can be made to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.
