The Renaud-Bray Group, a dominant force in Canada’s book and cultural retail landscape, has announced the acquisition of DeSerres, a family-owned Canadian leader in art supplies.
The acquisition includes DeSerres’ 28 stores across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia, its website deserres.ca, and its subsidiaries, Cadres Verbec, which specializes in framing, and Lamarche Importation, a distributor of stationery products.
Founded in 1908, DeSerres has been a fixture of Canadian creativity for more than a century, led by three generations of the DeSerres family. Over the years, it has evolved from a hardware store to a specialized retailer of art supplies, thanks to the strategic leadership of Marc DeSerres, who has been at the helm since 1975. Today, DeSerres is synonymous with art, DIY, and craft supplies, boasting a wide range of products for artists, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
“We salute the hard work and vision of Marc DeSerres, a passionate ambassador of the arts,” said Blaise Renaud, President of the Renaud-Bray Group. “Marc has been instrumental in reinventing the business over the decades, and we are honoured to carry forward his legacy.”
For Marc DeSerres, the decision to sell the company was not made lightly. “It’s time for me to hand over the reins, and I’m confident that Renaud-Bray, along with our dedicated employees, suppliers, and partners, will continue to inspire creativity across the country,” DeSerres said. His leadership helped the brand expand its footprint beyond Quebec and become a nationally recognized name in the Canadian retail space.
Blaise Renaud expressed excitement about the future, noting the strong synergies between Renaud-Bray and DeSerres. “Both of our companies share a deep connection to Quebec and the cultural world, and we are thrilled to continue fostering creativity throughout the province and beyond.”
DeSerres: A Century of Creativity
DeSerres began as a small hardware store in Montreal, founded by Omer DeSerres in 1908. It wasn’t until Omer’s son Roger took over that the company shifted its focus toward creative supplies, marking a strategic transformation that would cement its place in the world of art and craft retail. This shift was further solidified when Marc DeSerres, representing the third generation, took the reins in 1975 and fully committed to the arts and crafts direction. Under Marc’s leadership, the company expanded its presence across Canada, with stores in major urban centers and a robust online platform.
DeSerres has become known for its extensive selection of products catering to everyone from novice crafters to professional artists. The retailer offers everything from paints, brushes, and canvases to stationery, kids’ craft kits, and framing services. DeSerres’ impact on the creative community is undeniable, having supported countless Canadian artists, makers, and art students for decades.
Renaud-Bray: A Cultural Powerhouse
Renaud-Bray Group, founded in 1965 by Pierre Renaud, has grown from a single bookstore on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal into the largest French-language bookstore chain in North America. The company expanded under the leadership of Pierre’s son, Blaise Renaud, who took over as President and led the acquisition of other cultural retail brands. Today, Renaud-Bray includes Archambault stores, which specialize in books, music, and electronics; Griffon toy shops, a Quebec-based chain offering high-quality educational toys; and Prologue and Pierre Belvédère, two prominent distributors of books and cultural goods.
Renaud-Bray has been instrumental in promoting Quebec culture, especially in the realm of French-language literature. The company’s bookstores serve as community hubs, supporting local authors and cultural events. With 91 retail locations across Quebec and a significant online presence, Renaud-Bray has cemented its place as a key player in Canada’s cultural landscape.
In recent years, Renaud-Bray has embraced digital transformation, launching multiple transactional websites and enhancing its e-commerce capabilities. The company’s blend of traditional retail and digital innovation has earned it the title of one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2023.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The acquisition of DeSerres strengthens Renaud-Bray’s position in the cultural and creative sectors, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Both brands share a deep commitment to fostering creativity, supporting the arts, and celebrating Quebec’s rich cultural heritage. The integration of DeSerres into the Renaud-Bray Group is expected to be seamless, with both companies continuing to operate under their established brand names while benefiting from shared resources and expertise.
Looking ahead, the Renaud-Bray Group says it plans to further enhance its offerings in the art and creative sectors, leveraging DeSerres’ expertise to expand product lines and services. Customers can expect to see continued investment in both in-store and online experiences, ensuring that the legacy of both brands continues to flourish.
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