The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Metro posted a 14.5-per-cent decline in profits in its second quarter, as the grocer continues to face higher-than-usual expenses. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that Metro also announced on Wednesday that it is ending its partnership with Air Miles this coming fall, as it plans to expand its own MOI loyalty program to cover all 275 of its Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario. MOI launched in Quebec last May, and currently has 2.5 million active members in that province. Air Miles can still be collected and redeemed at stores until the launch, according to the company. Metro recorded a $20.8-million impairment charge related to the decision, saying the impairment of assets represents the carrying value of the loyalty program. Metro reported net earnings fell to $187.1-million or 83 cents a share in the second quarter ended March 16, compared with $218.8-million or 93 cents in the same period the prior year. Adjusting for the loss on impairment of the loyalty program as well as other items, adjusted net earnings declined by 8.4 per cent, to $206.4-million or 91 cents, compared with $225.4-million or 96 cents in the same period the prior year.