March 2, 2007
| Loblaw Closing Distribution Centre Toronto, March 2 - Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is going ahead with plans to close its Erin Mills distribution centre in Mississauga and has decided to contract out the work at its new facility in Ajax to a third party, the company has confirmed. (Source: Toronto Star) |
| EMI, Sony Laying Off Staff From Canadian Music Arms Toronto, February 28 - EMI Canada and Sony BMG Music Canada Inc. are laying off dozens of employees, part of a global music industry shakeup related to declining compact disc sales and free music downloads. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Musicstop Sold To Chain Halifax, February 28 - Musicstop, Atlantic Canada's largest chain of musical instrument stores, has been bought by Long & McQuade, the country's largest music retailer. (Source: Halifax Chronicle-Herald) |
| Gas Bar Crunch Has Canadian Tire Caught Between The Pumps Toronto, February 28 - It uses its gas stations almost as a loss leader to drive customers into its namesake stores, but now Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. is caught in the middle of a gasoline crunch that is forcing it to temporarily turn away motorists at some of its gas bars in Ontario. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Opinion: Let's Enforce Alberta's Rules For Temporary Workers Edmonton, February 27 - They come from India and Italy, from Poland and the Philippines, from Romania and China and the Czech Republic, from Sri Lanka and Mexico and Jamaica — from every corner of the world. Temporary foreign workers are flocking to Alberta on short-term visas, not as immigrants but as guest-workers. (Source: Edmonton Journal) |
| Big Tax Cuts Needed To Deal With Aging Population, Think Tank Says Ottawa, February 27 - The C.D. Howe Institute is calling for the 2007 federal budget to deliver $46.5-billion in ambitious tax relief over five years to prepare Canada's aging population for a future where relatively fewer workers must support more retired elderly. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Some Canadians Admit Buying Counterfeit Products Toronto, February 27 - Twenty-eight percent of Canadians admit knowingly buying counterfeit goods such as knockoff clothes, watches, purses and movies, according to a survey released on Tuesday. (Source: National Post) |
| Fears Of Corporate 'Hollowing Out' Are Overstated, Report Says Ottawa, February 27 - Fears about foreign takeovers and the "hollowing out" of corporate Canada are vastly overstated, a new report says. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Power Rebates At The Flick Of A Switch Toronto, February 27 - It sounds good in theory. Improve your building's energy efficiency, install better lighting, upgrade your heating and cooling systems, then apply to the corresponding rebate program and get a cheque for your environmentally friendly efforts. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Stickers Let Businesses Boast Of Higher Wages Toronto, February 26 - Businesses can soon put a sticker in their window to boast that they pay more than Ontario's $8 minimum wage. (Source: CBC News) |
| Fisher-Price Fined For Failing To Report Hazard Washington, D.C. March 2 - Fisher-Price Inc. has agreed to pay a US$975,000 civil penalty for failing to report to the government that one of its toys posed a choking hazard to younger children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. (Source: Halifax Chronicle-Herald/Associated Press) |
| Sears Profit Jumps 27% On Improved Clothing Sales Hoffman Estates, Ill., March 2 - Sears Holdings Corp. said fourth-quarter profit climbed 27 per cent, exceeding analysts' estimates, on increased clothing sales. Profit rose to $820-million (US), or $5.33 a share, from $648-million, or $4.03, a year earlier, the company said yesterday. (Source: The Globe and Mail/Bloomberg News) |
| Rental Chain's Earnings Hit By Outlet Closings New York City, February 28 - Blockbuster Inc. says fourth-quarter net income fell to $12.9 million (U.S.), or 5 cents per share, down from $18.0 million, or 9 cents per share, a year earlier. (Source: Toronto Star) |
| Federated Will Change Name To Macy's New York City, February 28 - Federated Department Stores Inc. has reported a 5 per cent rise in fourth-quarter profit, buoyed by sales at its Macy's stores. (Source: Toronto Star) |
| Wal-Mart Sets Sights On Emerging Markets Chicago, February 28 - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced a deal yesterday to take over a big retailer operating in China by 2010, and a report out of Russia said the world's biggest retailer might also be looking at an acquisition there. (Source: The Globe and Mail/Reuters) > Wal-Mart Stalls Solar-Power Plan (Source: The New York Times) |
| Home Depot Forecasts Slight Sales Growth, Earnings Per Share Decline In 2007 Atlanta, February 28 - Home Depot Inc., the world's largest home-improvement store chain, said Wednesday it will pump $2.2 billion (US) into improving its business this year amid internal projections that show overall sales will grow only slightly and earnings per share will fall. (Source: Canoe.ca/Associated Press) |
| Gap Gives Up On 35-Plus Line San Francisco, February 27 - After an unimpressive 18 months, Gap is shutting down its Forth & Towne stores aimed at women 35 and older. (Source: San Francisco Chronicle) |
| German Retail Sales Plunge Berlin, March 2 - German retail sales posted a monthly fall of almost 10 per cent in January, the sharpest since reunification in 1990, as a value-added tax rise hit spending despite aggressive discounting and mild weather. (Source: CNN International/Reuters) |
| Meet BoKlok, The Ikea House London, December 6 - It's time to chuck the Allen wrench aside. Not all Ikea products are sold in pieces anymore. Like the new Ikea house — set to go on the market in the U.K. in 2007. (Source: Spiegel Online International) |
| Shoppers May Win Retail Battle Melbourne, February 25 - The face and direction of Australian shopping is about to go through its most fundamental and dramatic change in a generation. (Source: Melbourne Herald Sun) |
| Self-Employment A Growing Option Calgary, February 26 - Do you want to be a consultant or contractor? Have you thought of opening a retail establishment or other business? When you develop a business, you become the employer, controlling your work and lifestyle. Research indicates self-employed people are happy workers. (Source: Calgary Herald) |
| Can't Take The Heat? Toronto, February 26 - "Golda's Kitchen is a seven-day-a-week operation," Fred Pritchard's voice announces when you reach Golda's by phone, and that's a problem for Pritchard and partner Howard Goldstein. (Source: Toronto Star) |
| Ask What Another Country Can Do For You Toronto, February 22 - When it comes to outsourcing services, small business can dish it out as well as it can take it. That's because small businesses can benefit from the flexibility available in outsourcing, from something as simple as buying accounting software to striking production deals with a foreign manufacturer. Either way, Canadian small business is embracing outsourcing. (Source: The Globe and Mail) |
| Dell Profit Falls As Sales Weaken Dallas, March 1 - Dell Inc. saw its fourth-quarter profits plunge Thursday in what the struggling computer maker called a preliminary earnings report due to an ongoing federal investigation of the company's finances. (Source: CBC News/Associated Press) |
| RadioShack Posts Higher Quarterly Profit New York, February 27 - Consumer electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. on Tuesday reported higher fourth-quarter profit on improved inventory management, fewer markdowns and lower expenses. (Source: National Post/Reuters) |
| > | Member Notice: New Brunswick To Improve Workplace Health And Safety Committees |
| > | Member Notice: Yukon Increases Minimum Wage To $8.37 Per Hour Effective April 1, 2007 |
| > | Member Notice: Changes To Daylight Savings Time In 2007 |
| > | Member Alert: Beware Of Pin Pad Scam |
| > | Member Action Request: 2007 Blue Box Stewards' Reports: Have You Filed Yet? |
| > | Member Notice: Nova Scotia's New Electronic Waste Regulations |
| > | Member Action Request: Accessible Customer Service Project Advisory Group |
| > | Submission: Letter To Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Labour RE: Strategic Directions: Addressing The Risk Of Workplace Violence In Nova Scotia |
| > | Member Notice: Preliminary Duties Imposed On Adult Diapers |
| Retail Traffic and Sales Conversion Analysis "Customer traffic is the lifeblood of retailing. While virtually every retailer understands this, the majority of retailers don't actually track traffic. If you don't track traffic, you are missing opportunities to improve sales and manage expenses. Our service will show you where," says Mark Ryski, President, HeadCount Corporation. HeadCount solves retailers' traffic dilemmas by offering a complete traffic monitoring and analysis service — all for a low monthly fee per site. > For more information, click here. |
| Is Your Retail Store The Ultimate Shopping Experience? Barbara Crowhurst, Retail Makeover Specialist, Business Coach and Trainer, will take you through a comprehensive review of your retail business including a look at the keys to retail success, common mistakes made by retailers, and ways to "Wow" your customers. Your personal retail challenges and concerns are first on the list and are always addressed. It's very easy to get started. > For more information, click here. |
| 2007 Retail as a Career Scholarship Program — Application deadline April 13, 2007 Retail Council of Canada and leading Canadian retailers have come together to provide scholarship opportunities to students pursuing a retail or business related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. The following awards are available for 2007:
> For more information, click here. |
| Retail Sales Associate and First Level Manager Designation Canadian Retail Institute has two national retail designation programs for Sales Associates and Store Managers. Based on the national occupational standards, these programs help with skills development, succession planning and are an opportunity for employers to offer cost effective professional development to their front line staff. > For more information on these programs, contact Sarah Bowden at sbowden@retailcouncil.org. |
| Job Fair Can Be Your 'Hook Up' With Youth Workers The Hook Up Student Employment Fair is being held in the Toronto neighbourhood of East York on Monday, March 12, 2007. Held during the March break holiday, The Hook Up Student Employment Fair is designed to bring employers, services and job seekers together under one roof. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the East York Civic Centre. Your company will be provided with an exhibitor table and two chairs for your representatives. All exhibitors will have the opportunity to have their corporate logos on display and refreshments will be provided for all participants. Please note, access will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. > To reserve a free table, contact Krista Ray, Gateway Café Youth Job Network Centre, at (416) 466-7489. |
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Best Practices: Beyond Retention
> For more information, please contact Dianne Johnstone at djohnstone@retailcouncil.org. |
Finally... the training program you need to develop your skills as a Retail District Manager. You can't find a tougher job in retail, or one that is more important to driving profitability in your stores.
Where and When: > For more information, click here.
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14e Congrés du Commerce de Détail
> For more information, visit: www.cqcd.org. |
Best Practices: Student-In-Site Program
> For more information, please contact Dianne Johnstone at djohnstone@retailcouncil.org. |
The Retail Human Resources Conference will examine the issues facing HR professionals working in the retail industry today. This full-day event offers the opportunity to explore best practices, network and discover new HR products and technologies.
Topic and Speaker Line-up:
The Alberta Phenomenon and Beyond
Luncheon Presentation — 2006 Excellence in Retailing Awards Winner > For more sessions, click here. |
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE APRIL 27, 2007
The Knock 'em Out Customer Experience: Customer Service and Sales Fundamentals
Securing Brand Loyalty through Security
Tuning into the Right Channel: Developing a Customer-centric Strategy > For more information, click here. |
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| Mental Illness in the Workplace: The Elephant in the Room Presented by Canadian Mental Health Association B.C. Division
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Disney Institute "Keys to Excellence" Seminar
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6th Annual Tourism HR Forum
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Retail Forward Strategic Outlook Conference
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2007 Canadian RFID Conference
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next:2007 — National Convention and Trade Show
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2007 B.C./Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioners' PIPA Privacy Conference
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