2006 Releases
| > | Gift Card Tips for Consumers: Retail Council of Canada Toronto, December 18, 2006 – With the Holiday season in full swing, gift cards are becoming a popular choice for consumers as they try to finish up their shopping lists. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Supports Improvements to Temporary Foreign Worker Program Vancouver, November 15, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada strongly supports improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, announced today by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Improvements to this program will assist retailers in Alberta and British Columbia by streamlining the process, timing and costs to hire foreign workers, where there are no Canadians available to fill vacant management positions. |
| > | Saskatchewan PST Reduction Highlights Need for B.C. to Be Competitive Vancouver, October 27, 2006 – Today's announcement by the Saskatchewan Government of a two point reduction in the provincial sales tax (PST) heightens the need for a sales tax reduction in British Columbia, according to Retail Council of Canada (RCC). |
| > | Saskatchewan Government Hears Retail Council of Canada's Calls to Reduce PST Winnipeg, October 27, 2006 – On behalf of Saskatchewan retailers and their customers, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) congratulates the Saskatchewan government for following its recommendation to reduce Saskatchewan's provincial sales tax. Today's move to reduce the PST by 2 per cent is good news for Saskatchewan consumers and retailers. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Salutes National Small Business Week — October 15 to 21 Toronto, October 13, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada is pleased to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners across the country as part of National Small Business Week, October 15 to 21. Retail is a cornerstone of the small business segment of the Canadian economy. Approximately one out of 10 business establishments across the country is a retail store, with the majority of stores being independently owned and operated by enterprising Canadians. |
| > | Trick or Treat: Retail Council of Canada's Halloween 2006 Consumer Trends 72% of Canadians Plan to Celebrate the Spookiest Day of the Year Toronto, October 12, 2006 – According to a new study conducted by Pollara on behalf of Retail Council of Canada, 72% of Canadians plan to participate in at least one Halloween-related activity this year, such as wearing a costume, going to a party, getting together with friends, handing out candy, taking children trick-or-treating, and/or decorating their home. On average, Canadians plan to spend $60 on items such as candy, pumpkins, costumes and decorations, compared to $57 in 2005. The Halloween season accounts for approximately $1.15 billion in sales. |
| > | Alberta Sub-Sector Labour Supply Strategy Triggers "Unprecedented" Response from Retailers Edmonton, September 19, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members in Alberta have hit the ground running with a Retail Labour Supply Task Force in response to the Alberta Government's release today of a province-wide retail labour blueprint — the first sub-sector strategy to come out of Alberta's 10-year labour force plan. |
| > | Retail Loss Prevention Conference Explores New Retail Crimes and Prevention Strategies Organized Retail Crime, Swipe Theft and Trademark Fraud on Agenda Toronto, September 13, 2006 – Retailers and loss prevention experts attending this year's annual Retail Loss Prevention Conference, on Tuesday, September 19, will have the chance to learn about the new realities facing retailers of all sizes, such as organized retail crime, swipe theft and fraud, as well as practical solutions to help minimize and prevent loss. |
| > | Mark Your Calendars: Toronto Retail Hiring Fair Wednesday, September 20 at Metro Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street Toronto, September 12, 2006 – To help connect job seekers with leading retailers, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Monster Canada are hosting the upcoming Toronto Retail Hiring Fair on Wednesday, September 20, at the Metro Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street. More than 25 retailers are looking for enthusiastic and talented staff to fill a variety of challenging full- and part-time positions — all under one roof. |
| > | Calgary Retail Hiring Fair Designed to Help Ease Alberta's Labour Supply Crunch Tuesday, September 19 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre Calgary, September 12, 2006 – In response to Alberta's current labour supply issues, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Monster Canada have teamed up to help connect job seekers with leading retailers at the upcoming Calgary Retail Hiring Fair on Tuesday, September 19, at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. More than 40 retailers are looking for enthusiastic and talented staff to fill a wide range of challenging full- and part-time positions — all under one roof. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada's 2006 Back-to-School Consumer Trends Consumer Confidence Positive Going into Fall Season Toronto, August 15, 2006 – Ranked as the second-busiest season behind the Holiday Season, back-to-school is a key period for both shoppers and retailers, marked by new merchandise and brisk shopping traffic across the country. As a new study conducted for Retail Council of Canada (RCC) by POLLARA indicates, 42% of Canadians plan to shop for back-to-school items this year. On average, Canadians plan to spend approximately $337 on school-related items, with 29% intending to spend $400 or more. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Calls on Saskatchewan Government to Reduce PST by 1 Per Cent Winnipeg, June 27, 2006 – On behalf of Saskatchewan retailers and their customers, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is calling on the Saskatchewan government to reduce Saskatchewan's PST by 1 per cent in the next provincial budget. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Establishes Alberta Office Labour Shortages and Growing National Influence of Province's Retail Sector Cited as Reasons Edmonton, June 19, 2006 – The growing national stature of Alberta's booming retail sector and the challenges of staffing in a hyper-competitive labour market have prompted Retail Council of Canada (RCC) to establish a permanent office in Alberta. |
| > | Aliant Wins National Retail Award for New Store Design Toronto, June 6, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) awarded Aliant, an Atlantic Canadian telecommunications organization, with the prestigious "New Retail Store Design Concept Award," at the annual Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner last night. This award honours Aliant for using innovation to create a visually enticing layout and design. The award was presented, along with 17 others, as part of STORE 2006 — Canada's Retail Conference. |
| > | Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Takes Home National Retail Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Toronto, June 6, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) awarded Halifax-based Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC), with the prestigious “Retail Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Award,” mid-size category, at the annual Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner last night. This new award honours a retailer for developing a new, or advancing a current, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, thus demonstrating innovative and proactive solutions to societal and environmental challenges. The award was presented, along with 17 others, as part of STORE 2006 — Canada's Retail Conference. |
| > | Retailers Shine From Coast-to-Coast at National Industry Gala Event Toronto, June 6, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) awarded 18 prestigious industry awards at the annual Excellence in Retailing Awards Dinner last night. These awards recognize the retail industry’s top achievers and were presented as part of STORE 2006 — Canada's Retail Conference. |
| > | Don’t Miss STORE 2006 – Meet Industry Heavyweights and Get Exclusive New Research Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 Toronto, June 5, 2006 – STORE 2006 — Canada's Retail Conference, which runs today and tomorrow, is expected to attract approximately 700 retail executives, suppliers and vendors to Toronto’s Congress Centre. Presented by Retail Council of Canada (RCC), this premier industry event provides an innovative, interactive environment where retailers can come together to hear from their peers and industry experts, discuss trends and issues, and exchange ideas to help shape the future of retail in Canada. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Announces 20 Retail as a Career Scholarship Winners From Across Canada Toronto, May 31, 2006 – Twenty post-secondary students from across the country will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to further their educations and kick-start their careers in retail at Retail Council of Canada's (RCC) upcoming STORE conference, this June 5-6 in Toronto. RCC, along with leading Canadian retailers, award these scholarships annually and developed this initiative to recognize outstanding post-secondary students who are pursuing retail and retail-related careers. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Applauds Federal Government Decision on Bicycle and Barbecue Imports Rejecting Additional Surtaxes is Good News for Retailers and for Consumers Toronto, May 29, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) expressed its unequivocal support for today's announcement by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and International Trade Minister David Emerson to reject additional surtaxes on bicycle and barbecue imports. |
| > | Alberta Independent Retailer Honoured with National Retail Council of Canada/Visa Ambassador Award Stasia Nawrocki of Dansk Gifts Recognized for Commitment to Community Toronto, May 29, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today that independent Alberta retailer, Stasia Nawrocki of Dansk Gifts, will be honoured with the Visa Ambassador Award at the upcoming STORE Conference on June 5-6 in Toronto. Ms. Nawrocki is being recognized for her contribution to her community and to the retail industry in general. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada Names Canadian Retail Hall of Fame Inductees: George Heller of Hbc and Harry Rosen of Harry Rosen Inc. Toronto, May 24, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today that George Heller, Senior Director of Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) and Harry Rosen of Harry Rosen Inc., will be the 2006 inductees into the Canadian Retail Education Hall of Fame. Mr. Heller and Mr. Rosen were nominated and selected by a distinguished panel of current and former retail executives, as well as representatives from the financial, academic and consulting communities. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada and Scotiabank Equip Retailers for Success Through Financial Services Partnership Toronto, May 18, 2006 – In celebration of over 20 years of partnership, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Scotiabank today launched a new and improved benefits program aimed at outfitting Canadian retailers with the tools they need to succeed. This program offers expert advice, learning and exclusive discounted banking privileges to help retailers respond to life's daily challenges and focus on their core business. |
| > | Canadian Retail Industry Honours Le Château's Herschel Segal with Lifetime Achievement Award Toronto, May 17, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced today that Herschel Segal, Chairman, CEO and Founder of Le Château Inc., will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Segal was nominated and selected by a distinguished panel of current and former retail executives, as well as representatives from the financial, academic and consulting communities. |
| > | RCC Launches Task Force to Address Alberta Labour Supply Crunch Edmonton, May 11, 2006 – A straw poll of 29 retail companies represented at the inaugural meeting of Retail Council of Canada's Alberta Retail Labour Supply Task Force revealed that collectively they have 8,800 positions in the province they cannot currently fill. |
| > | The North West Company's Edward Kennedy Awarded with Retail Industry's Highest Honour "Distinguished Retailer of the Year" Toronto, May 10, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is pleased to present Edward Kennedy, President and CEO of The North West Company, with the coveted "2006 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year" award to recognize his role as a leader in the retail industry, in addition to his generous humanitarian and charitable commitments to the community at large. |
| > | Retail Innovation: A New Store of Ideas Retail Council of Canada Presents STORE 2006 Toronto, May 9, 2006 – Experience a new store of ideas and retail innovators at STORE 2006, Canada's Retail Conference. Presented by Retail Council of Canada (RCC), this two-day event offers more than 700 attendees the opportunity to rejuvenate their thinking, focus their creativity and inspire them to push the innovation envelope. |
| > | Canada Day GST Rate Implementation A Red Flag Toronto, May 2, 2006 – While Canada's small, mid and large retailers welcome today's announcement of the one per cent cut to the GST, and all of the small business tax reductions, personal and corporate tax measures announced, they are raising a red flag over the effective start date of July 1, 2006, for the GST reduction. |
| > | Media Alert: Retail Council of Canada to Monitor Federal Budget On Behalf of Canada's Retailers Toronto, May 1, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) will be available for comment and analysis when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivers the federal government's budget tomorrow. |
| > | Retailers Take On Labour Supply Challenges: The Vancouver Retail Hiring Fair On May 2 Vancouver, April 27, 2006 – While the issue of skilled labour is a looming concern for many regions across Canada, British Columbians are already experiencing this reality first-hand. This skilled labour shortage is impacting all industries and in particular, the retail sector. That's why B.C. retailers are increasingly focusing on innovative ways to recruit and retain entry-level, management and skilled labour. To showcase the diverse job opportunities in retail, Retail Council of Canada and Monster Solutions are pleased to present "The Retail Industry Hiring Fair Vancouver," this Tuesday, May 2. |
| > | Unreasonable Delay of GST Reduction May be Bad for Business Toronto, April 27, 2006 – Retailers of all shapes and sizes have been telling Retail Council of Canada (RCC) about their needs and concerns regarding the GST reduction, its smooth implementation, and the consequences of an unreasonable delay in approving the legislation. |
| > | MEDIA ALERT: Retailers Learn How to Deal with Canada's Looming Labour Shortage Toronto, April 26, 2006 – Retailers face unique challenges in recruiting and retaining top-quality staff, especially with Canada facing a nationwide labour supply challenge. Retail Council of Canada and Monster are pleased to present the second annual Retail Human Resources Conference, "Shifting Perspectives: Recruit, Retain, Succeed." |
| > | Despite Setback, RCC Campaign to "Park the Tax" Continues Vancouver, April 20, 2006 – A fierce lobby campaign to scrap a controversial parking tax in the Greater Vancouver area was dealt a setback this week, but Retail Council of Canada will continue its work as a member of the "Park the Tax Coalition." |
| > | Canadians Kick-start Spring with Family and Friends Toronto, April 6, 2006 – With winter seemingly behind us, Canadians are enthusiastic about the start of spring and for some, celebrating Easter by reconnecting with family and friends, entertaining and sprucing up their homes. According to a new study conducted for Retail Council of Canada by POLLARA, 78% of Canadians intend to visit with family and friends this Easter holiday weekend. Other popular activities include spring cleaning (33%), attending religious services (28%), gardening (23%) and going on an Easter egg hunt (21%). |
| > | Ottawa Retailer Invests in Employee Training Canadian Retail Institute (CRI) Offers Only National Professional Designation Programs For Retail Industry Ottawa, March 30, 2006 – Canadian Retail Institute (CRI), the education arm of Retail Council of Canada (RCC), is pleased to announce that Handi-House Limited, a specialty retailer of mobility aids under the Handi-House banner as well as Solea, its fine comfort footwear division, is the first independent retailer in Ottawa to enrol its staff in CRI's Retail Sales Associate (RSA) professional designation and training program. Six employees of Handi-House are currently working on their RSA designation and expect to take the exam in April 2006. |
| > | Retail Council of Canada To Monitor Budget On Behalf Of Ontario's More Than 85,000 Retailers Toronto, March 23, 2006 – Retail Council of Canada (RCC) will be available for comment and analysis when Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan delivers his government's third budget today. |
| > | Canada's Retail Industry Has Many Stars. Are You One Of Them? Retail Council of Canada's Call for Industry Awards and Scholarships Entries Toronto, March 20, 2006 – Retail's present and future stars will be shining bright at STORE 2006 — Canada's Retail Conference, this June 5 and 6. This annual, two-day event draws more than 700 retail executives and provides an opportunity for retailers to hear from innovators in the industry and learn best practices. The event also celebrates the successes of Canada's retail community and recognizes the future of retail with the Excellence in Retailing Awards and Retail as a Career Scholarship Program. |
| > | Canadian Consumers "In Love" With Valentine's Day 66% of Canadians Intend to Give Valentine's Day Cards to their Loved Ones Toronto, February 9, 2006 – Canadians are in the mood for love and intend on showering their loved ones with gifts and other tokens of affection this Valentine's Day. According to a new study conducted for Retail Council of Canada by POLLARA, 84% of Canadians intend to recognize a loved one on February 14, 2006. |