Member Services
Association Profile
Retail Council of Canada was founded in 1963. Currently, RCC is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit, industry-funded trade associations representing more than 45,000 store fronts. Members include all retail formats: national and regional department stores, grocery, mass merchants, specialty chains, independent stores and online merchants.
RCC has offices in:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Manitoba/Saskatchewan
- Ontario
- Ottawa (Federal Affairs)
- Montreal
- Atlantic Canada
Board of Directors
Retail Council of Canada is a member-driven association as reflected by our board of directors. Currently our board represents retailers of all sizes from coast to coast.
Committees
From Loss Prevention to Finance and Payments, RCC facilitates a number of committees that allow our retail members to engage with their peers and to gain access to important best practices, trends, and information. If you would be interested in receiving more information on these or any other committees, contact customerservice@retailcouncil.org.
Recent Victories
RCC's ongoing work with all levels of government has had some exciting results for our retailers. RCC has a dedicated Government Relations team reaching every corner of the country. Some of the recent victories include:
- Helped to level the playing field between Canadian and U.S. merchants
- Ensured that Canada’s debit system remains low-cost
- Encouraged the federal Finance Ministry to enforce tighter oversight of the payments industry in Canada.
> Click here for more details on all of these activities.
Ongoing Advocacy
RCC has offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Toronto and Ottawa. Each office is keeping a close eye on all government related issues affecting retailers of all sizes. RCC is currently active on a number files dealing with issues such Payments, Tariffs, Anti-Spam legislation, and many others.
> Click here for more details on RCC's ongoing advoacy.
Conferences & Workshops
RCC runs Canada's most successful retail specific conference - STORE — Canada's Retail Conference held annually in Toronto, Canada.
RCC also offers retail specific events covering industry topics such as, Human Resources, Loss Prevention, and free online training with our series of webinars.
> Click here for more information.
Recruitment & Retention
RCC offers its members an opportunity to meet face-to-face with potential job seekers at our regional Hiring Fairs. Last year, RCC hosted hiring fairs in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
Canadian Retail Institute (CRI), a division of RCC, offers RCC members a discounted rate on Professional Designation Programs for First Level Managers and Retail Sales Associates. CRI also awards scholarships annually to students interested in pursuing a career in retail.
> Click here for more information on these programs or scholarships.
Publications & Web Site
RCC provides members with the most important and timely communications in the retail industry.
RCC publishes an award-winning bi-monthly magazine, Canadian Retailer, which features the latest consumer research, stats, and information about RCC's activities. Also included are some of the newest trends and ideas in loss prevention, human resources, and technology. The magazine also profiles companies and individuals emerging in the Canadian retail industry.
Our free weekly e-newsletter is packed with retail industry-related information from all around the world. If you haven't signed up yet, click here to subscribe.
Members-Only Web Site. The members-only section provides exclusive access to White Papers, research, information on critical issues, and much more.
MyStore is an exciting online resource for independent retailers. Read in-depth and thought-provoking articles about successful independent retailers from across Canada. Check out the MyStore Community category for announcements, anniversaries, store openings and everything else that makes Canadian independent retailers unique.
Retailer’s Guides. RCC has created a series of Tip Sheets that provide retailers with tools to help train staff on key issues. These quick and easy resources include check-lists, best practices, and helpful hints for store employees on a variety of topics such as:
- Creating customer loyalty
- Beating shoplifters at their game
- Planning for an emergency
- Screening prospective employees
- And more!
Retail Conditions Report
Each quarter, RCC surveys members to bring you the latest news on retailer performance across the country. Retail Conditions provides valuable, real-time insight into consumer behaviour, best practices in retailing, trends and economic conditions. Available to Members only!
> Click here to read the latest or previous versions of Retail Conditions.
Retail Fast Facts
RCC carefully monitors the health of the retail trade and provides this monthly round-up of retail statistics. Available to Members only! To read the latest or previous versions of Retail Fast Facts, click here.
Cost Savings Programs
Our goal is to save our members time and money and we are extremely happy to offer great cost saving benefits to all of our membership. RCC has negotiated outstanding rates on products such as, POS merchant provider, Traffic Counting, Counterfeit Detection Equipment, and many others. If you currently have rates on these products, we urge you to compare them to our member rates to ensure you are saving the most money.
> Click here for a complete listing of all of RCC's Group Discount Programs.
