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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 40,000 store fronts. Members include all retail formats: national and regional department stores, mass merchants, specialty chains, independent stores and online merchants.

RCC has offices in:

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Manitoba/Saskatchewan
  • Ontario
  • Ottawa (Federal Affairs)
  • Quebec (through our partner CQCD)
  • 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 from coast to coast and retailers of all sizes.

Committees
RCC offers a number valuable committees ranging from Loss Prevention, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Environment, and many others. The true value of these committees are the networking opportunities and the sharing of best practices from retailer across the country. If you would be interested in receiving more information on these or any other committees, contact Matthew Hall, Manager, Member Relations at mhall@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, effectively lobbing for changes in the foreign worker program; hosting Ottawa Day (meeting of RCC members and Federal Ministers); and was instrumental in the implementation of Commitment of Parents program.
> For more details on all of these activities, click here.

Ongoing Lobbying
RCC has offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Toronto and Ottawa. Each office is keeping a close eye on all government related issues effecting retailers of all sizes. RCC's ongoing lobbying efforts have given the retail industry a united voice in front of all levels of government. Currently, RCC is active on a number files dealing with issues such as Loss Prevention, Technology & Payments, Labour Challenges, and many others.
> For more details on all of these activities, click here.

Conferences & Workshops
RCC runs Canada's most successful Retail specific conference. Our flagship conference is STORE — Canada's Retail Conference held annually in Toronto, Canada. This year's event is scheduled for June 1-2, 2009, at the Toronto Congress Centre. Mark your calendar today!

RCC also runs retail specific events covering industry topics such as, Human Resources, Loss Prevention, and regional Coaching and Recruiting workshops offered across the country.
> For more information, click here.

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 for the Professional Designation Program for First Level Managers and Retail Sales Associates. CRI also awards scholarships annually to students interested in pursuing a career in retail. In 2008 CRI will award:

> For more information on these programs or scholarships, click here.

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.

Weekly, RCC produces an E-newsletter (free of charge). Each issue 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.

Loss Prevention Newsletter. This newsletter covers the Loss Prevention Committee findings and best practices on retail specific loss prevention topics. These tips and suggestions can help you better understand and prevent criminal actions in your locations.

Human Resources Newsletter. Each issue focuses on the growing concerns of labour shortages, retention, and leadership. Also included are details on RCC's Human Resources events that are held across the country.

RCC has created a series of Tip Sheets that provide retailers with tools to help train staff on key issues. The easy to read sheets often include check-lists, best practices, and helpful hints for store employees. Subjects include:

  • 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!
> To read the latest or previous versions of Retail Conditions, login here.

Retail Fast Facts
RCC carefully monitors the health of the retail trade and produces Retail Fast Facts — a monthly round-up of retail statistics available on our members-only Web site.
> To read the latest or previous versions of Retail Fast Facts, login here.

Cost Savings Programs
RCC has listened to the needs of our members and we are extremely happy to offer these great cost saving benefits to all of our membership. Our goal is to save our members time and money. With these benefit programs; RCC has negotiated out standing rates on such products as, POS merchant provider, Traffic Counting, Counterfeit Detection Equipment, and many others. If you currently have rates on these products, make sure you compare them to what RCC is offering to ensure you are saving the most money.
> Click here for a complete listing of all of RCC's Cost Saving Programs.