2024: Year in Review

• Mounted successful public relations and government relations campaigns to bring an end to damaging labour disruptions in rail, ports, and at Canada Post.

• Defended grocers in Ottawa against negative political rhetoric on food affordability and fought back on any damaging new policy proposals surrounding windfall taxes on profits.

• Worked with parliamentarians to bring in legal changes that would enable the sharing of information on retail crime with authorities.

• After advocacy from business associations initiated by RCC, government stopped Bill 12, the Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act.  The broad legislation would have allowed the Federal or Provincial governments to sue for the recovery of health care costs related to products, byproducts and services provided to residents of B.C.  In addition, the legislation applied not only to manufacturers but also to those promoting, marketing or distributing products or services. 

• Government listened to a request from RCC and in the 2024 budget announced that the B.C. employer health tax exemption threshold (one time only) was increased: effective January 1, 2024, the B.C. employer health tax threshold is increased from $500,000 to $1 million.  This means small businesses with payrolls less than $1 million will not pay employer health tax.  The rate for businesses above $1 million and below the full rate threshold of $1.5 million will be 5.85%. 

• RCC advocacy and media relations efforts contributed to the decision by the government to use their power under the Canada Labour Code to order an end to both the rail lockout in August 2024 and the West Coast port lockout in November 2024 to force binding arbitration and a return to work. 

• Government has taken compliance action against free riders in extended producer responsibility more seriously.   Government is now reporting, semi-annually, to RCC and producer responsibility organizations about their compliance activity.  For the first time in B.C., an entity was issued a relatively substantial fine – previously most compliance had been warnings or token fines. 

• B.C.’s government has now acknowledged through a change in guidance that consumers pay the cost of B.C.’s extended producer responsibility system.  Costs are increasing significantly above the rate of inflation (8.65% between 2022 and 2023).  RCC’s next target will be to convince government that recent changes government has made to EPR plans are a significant cause to the cost increases. 

• RCC, retailers themselves and other business groups have complained about inaction on crime impacting retail stores and workers.  The first action of the new government in November 2024 was to reach out to RCC to begin a discussion on tackling organized retail crime. 

• RCC’s extensive work and advocacy resulted in Manitoba Justice and Police services making significant commitments in support of retail security, including funding and resources, commitments for legislative change and through RCC’s leadership becoming the template for the country in response to retail crime and safety.

• To address several problematic issues unique to the Saskatchewan Employment Standards legislation, RCC led a coalition of trade associations and chambers to magnify the voice of the negative impact that the current language has on employers, and employees in the province.   After years of independent advocacy by RCC, the Government this December introduced legislation to make this, and other RCC advocated changes. 

• With the support of members, RCC was able to secure a commitment from the Saskatchewan government Health Ministry to update their regulations to enable scientifically supported variances to food preparation standards to be issued.  Currently, QSRs are required to modify their North America wide supported food preparation systems for Saskatchewan due to what RCC sees as an oversight in how the regulations were written.

• As Alberta Extended Producer Responsibility programs prepare to launch for blue box and hazardous waste in the province, RCC remains committed to its role as the industry’s only Authority voting member of the province’s oversight body (ARMA), and a trusted advisor to the Environment Ministry to reduce the inefficiencies and costs of the new systems.

• RCC played a key role in ongoing discussions between Ontario and grocers on the expanded retail sales of alcohol, including setting up a private consultation in early 2024 between the Ministry of Finance and Ontario’s grocers.

• Some of the positives include the open ability for grocery and convenience retailers to apply for an alcohol license, and the lifting of fixed margin requirements for alcohol (formerly, an average of 2.2% gross margin; varied somewhat by contract with the LCBO).
 
• Further, RCC played a major role in lifting several nuisance red tape policies related to alcohol, including the ability to sell product anywhere in the store (no longer confined to one aisle), and to sell alcohol online, including delivery the product direct to customers from store using third-party vendors.

• There are many items that RCC continues to advocate on, including the fact that retailers actively subsidize the retail operations of the LCBO, who is now a direct competitor to many grocers. Further, in 2026, the is the issue that all retailers who sell alcohol would be required to take back empty containers in the retail setting, highly problematic for grocers. Finally, there are ongoing restrictions around private label alcohol. RCC continues to advocate on all three of these items.

• RCC has been advocating on, which is close to completion, is passing on Limited Time Offers (“LTOs”) that the LCBO has on wine to grocery and convenience retailers. We anticipate a near-term, temporary fix, followed by a more permanent fix in the new year.

Charter of the French Language (Bill 96)

• RCC has strongly defended the interests of its members in the face of new language obligations. This work involved close collaboration with the office of the Minister of the French Language, Mr. Roberge, as well as with the president of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). Following the adoption of the by-law last June, RCC strengthened its media and political presence. A coalition led by RCC brought together the efforts of various stakeholders and spoke with one voice to address the blind spots in the regulations, including restrictions that would have made it illegal to produce products with basic English-language instructions such as “ON/OFF” or English-language keyboards. 
 
• RCC has held several meetings with its members as well as with international groups, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, to examine the implications of trademarks and the global manufacturing reality. Thanks to these interventions, the government removed several problematic elements of the bill, which allowed Quebec companies to record a decisive victory.

Right to Repair and Planned Obsolescence (Bill 29)

• RCC insisted on participating and was ultimately the only industry representative to be heard. RCC submitted a detailed submission to highlight the disproportionate effects of this legislation, including the heavy responsibilities imposed on retailers.

Labelling in the Food Sector (Bill 72)

• RCC actively participated in the parliamentary committee and submitted a detailed brief outlining these constraints. As a result of RCC’s efforts, we secured crucial adjustments, including an extension of the implementation deadline from three to six months. In addition, greater flexibility in the application of certain aspects of the Act has been negotiated, thereby reducing the impact of this initiative on retailers. These advances represent a concrete success for the food sector, which is already juggling a multitude of laws and regulations governing its activities.

Loss Prevention

• RCC created a committee dedicated to loss prevention, strengthening its partnerships with police forces, particularly with the SPVM. Awareness initiatives have brought retailers and law enforcement closer together, culminating in a first prevention blitz in Quebec in early December. This type of collaboration has made it possible to pool the expertise of various players, creating a unique synergy between the retail industry and the police world.

Environment: Curbside Recycling and Expanded Deposit-Refund System

• The reform of curbside recycling (blue bin) and the expansion of the deposit system represent major issues for Quebec retailers. While these initiatives fall under extended producer responsibility, public perception often puts retailers at the centre of these operations. RCC has held numerous meetings to ensure that merchants do not become the main collection and sorting centres for new recyclable materials, which will now include wine bottles, cartons and all the others. 
 
• Despite significant delays in the implementation of infrastructure by Consigne Action, RCC continues to advocate on behalf of retailers to avoid negative repercussions on their operations.

Food Waste

• RCC has established a special committee dedicated to food waste, food preservation and packaging management. This committee brings together various key partners such as the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ), Recyc-Québec, MAPAQ, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Éco Entreprises Québec, ITEGA, as well as major food banners such as Metro, Sobeys, Loblaw, Costco and Walmart. The main objective is to harmonize best practices, while ensuring that decisions from different levels of government or local authorities are not contradictory. 
 
• To achieve this goal, RCC hosted a landmark event on October 4 that brought together more than 120 participants from various sectors. This meeting highlighted best practices and fostered constructive dialogue between partners on critical issues related to packaging management and food waste

Labour Shortage and Human Resources Management

• Faced with the labour shortage, RCC took the initiative to commission a study from Leger to better understand the impacts of this phenomenon on Quebec workers and employers 
 
• To deepen this thinking and propose practical solutions, RCC organized a series of webinars focusing on the major challenges related to human resources and talent management.

Atlantic Wide:

• RCC continued to advocate for members and kept them informed as provinces introduced new EPR programs (e.g.: batteries, lamps, used beverage containers, PPP) and added new obligated products to existing EPR programs. (e.g.: electronics)

New Brunswick: 

• RCC convinced the three remaining municipal governments in New Brunswick to amend / repeal their restrictive bylaws regarding Sunday opening hours thus, allowing all New Brunswick retailers to choose the Sunday opening hours that work best for their businesses. 
 
• RCC successfully advocated for the government to overhaul its Designated Materials Regulation and implement a producer hierarchy for each designated material in extended producer responsibility programs.  This will provide much needed clarity in determining the brand owner of obligated products in the province’s EPR programs.
 
• RCC worked with stakeholders to defend the interests of RCC members as the province transitioned to extended producer responsibility programs for packaging and paper products, lamp products and used beverage containers.
 
• RCC worked to bring the first municipal police forces to the table to discuss RCC’s Retail Crime initiatives.

Nova Scotia:

• RCC worked to bring Halifax Regional Police and Halifax RCMP back to the table to continue participation in RCC’s Retail Crime initiatives.
 
• RCC successfully advocated with NS Worker’s Compensation Board for specific parameters surrounding the development of policies related to the compensability of work-related gradual onset psychological injury.
 
• RCC convinced the government not to include paid sick leave as part of its initiative to dramatically increase unpaid sick leave provisions.

Prince Edward Island: 

• RCC convinced the PEI government to halt its plan to double the deposit and triple the return on used beverage containers.
 
• RCC continued to protect the interests of RCC members as the PEI government continued its consultation / implementation of major changes to its Employment Standards Act.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• RCC continued to work with stakeholders to ensure that the Oceanex shipping service continued to be exempted from any strike action at the Port of Montreal.
 
• RCC convinced the government not to include paid sick leave as part of its initiative to dramatically increase unpaid sick leave provisions.

• RCC advocated for the meaningful and reasonable implementation of forced labour reporting under the new Supply Chains Act and supported members in completing the first year reports.

• RCC actively engaged in consultations on potential new laws and policies on labour exploitation in supply chains, preparing recommendations and advocating for meaningful, collaborative approaches that reflect the complexity of global retail supply chains. 
 
• RCC provided member learning and engagement opportunities on animal welfare issues, with both producers and animal welfare organizations. 
 
• RCC supported the ongoing work of the National Farm Animal Care Council, a critical organization to advance farm animal welfare in Canada through broad stakeholder collaboration.

• RCC has worked with various food supply chain coalitions and government partners to mitigate supply chain disruptions and put in place long-term strategies to ensure networks remain strong and flexible in the event of climate, labour, or disease related emergencies.
 
• RCC has worked to ensure reasonable timelines are in place for upcoming changes to labelling and cost recovery for Natural Health Products and cosmetic products.
 
• Following feedback from RCC and other industry groups, the Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate of Health Canada has reengaged stakeholders to share their concerns and input around labelling implementation for Natural Health Products, with the goal of identifying potential solutions to support implementation of improved NHP labelling requirements.
 
• Regarding allergen disclosures on cosmetic products, RCC has worked to ensure government understands the challenges faced by industry when labelling redesign is required, and how these costs and complexities can be mitigated. Through communication with members on timing challenges, operational considerations and supply chain complexities, RCC will continue to work to ensure these changes are made in a sustainable and practical manner.
 
• RCC facilitated member compliance with food and product safety regulations through the Food Safety and Nutrition Committee and Product Safety and Recall Committee, which offer regular discussions with government (Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada most notably) and other industry partners, as well as communication on upcoming planned or contemplated regulatory changes in order to provide members with advance notice.

• Submissions and advocacy to government on right to repair, greenwashing, competition (Bill C-59), retail safety and privacy (Bill C-27), age assurance, biometrics and generative AI and copyright in retail.

• Speaker session on AI in retail for the RCC Privacy Committee with a lens on generative AI and compliance

Advocacy for Cost-Effective Container Recycling:

• RCC engaged extensively in Ontario’s consultations on a potential Deposit Return System (DRS) for non-alcoholic beverage containers that could have seen a very costly mandatory return-to-retail requirement come to the province. Following RCC’s advocacy, the government chose over the summer to prioritize the curbside Blue Box program instead, sparing retailers and consumers significant costs. RCC has further demonstrated recycling leadership by partnering with York University to study beverage container recycling and support efforts to optimize the Blue Box system in Ontario.

UNEP Accreditation and INC-4 Engagement:

• RCC achieved accreditation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and participated in-person at the 4th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) session for a global plastic waste treaty, held in Ottawa. Throughout the year, RCC collaborated with the Canadian government to help shape Canada’s INC positions, aiming to drive harmonized international action and avoid a patchwork of inefficient and costly national regulations. This UNEP accreditation strengthens RCC’s commitment to international collaboration on plastic waste management and positions the organization to actively contribute to future INC negotiations and UNEP assemblies in support of a unified global approach to sustainability challenges.

Second Annual Sustainability Conference:

• RCC hosted its 2nd annual Sustainability Conference, gathering over 600 retailers, consumer goods companies, government representatives, and service providers to collaboratively address sustainability issues such as EPR, plastics and climate mitigation.

Driving Sustainable Action through Strategic Partnerships:

• RCC advanced collective action on sustainability through a partnership with Schneider Electric on the Value Chain Decarbonization Program, aimed at managing Scope 3 emissions. These initiatives position RCC members to lead in decarbonization and circular economy practices.

Driving National Harmonization of Programs and Regulations:

• RCC advocated for the alignment of regulatory frameworks across provinces, pushing for a harmonized approach to EPR, plastics regulations, and climate action policies. RCC’s national harmonization and integration efforts with key stakeholders aim to reduce regulatory complexity and operational costs for members, supporting a unified framework that allows for scalability and consistency across Canada.

Launch of Facilities Management Community:

• RCC launched a Facilities Management Community, providing facility and operations managers with networking and insights for efficient, sustainable operations across areas such as waste reduction, GHG emissions, and health and safety.

Advocacy on Key Regulatory Issues:

• RCC maintained active monitoring and advocacy on federal, provincial, and municipal issues, including EPR, the plastics registry, GHG reporting, and refrigeration regulations. Through our three very popular sustainability committees and consistent member engagement, RCC provided regular updates on a range of regulatory developments impacting the retail sector.

Enhanced Resources for Navigating Regulatory Landscapes:

• RCC continued to develop a suite of tools and resources for members, helping them track sustainability-related regulations on EPR, industrial, commercial, and institutional waste, single-use plastics requirements, sustainability and ghg reporting standards, and available grants.

For more information on this committee, visit our Sustainability page.

National Loss Prevention Taskforce

• This Taskforce is open to all retailers and includes Police Services from across the country. The Taskforce facilitates national collaboration around four key programs; 1) Retail Blitz Program, 2) Retail Crime Units, 3) Organized Retail Crime, 4) Retail Crime Statistics
 
• Currently the Taskforce has 19 Police Services participants with retailers across the country, collaborating on the four key programs.  The Taskforce has organized National Retail Blitzes.  From September of 2023 to June of 2024, 3 National Retail blitzes have been organized.  A two-week period is selected where police services work with retailers to target specific areas and know offenders with the goal of disrupting the retail criminals, arresting the repeat prolific offenders and ORC groups and work with dedicated crowns to push for more severe consequences.  For the 3 Blitzes, 1724 people were arrested and $517,211 recovered.  The next National Retail Blitz is scheduled to run December 1st to the 21st 2024.

Manitoba Executive Taskforce & Manitoba Business Working Group

• RCC worked with the Minister of Justice to advocate for funding for a Retail Theft Initiative for Winnipeg and $1.16million was provided to Winnipeg Police by the Minister’s office initially intended to be a pilot ending in October of 2024. The Premier and Minister of Justice announced that the program would be extended, and 12 new Winnipeg Police officers have been hired and deployed to support the Retail Theft Initiative continuing as a regular program.

Alberta Retail Crime Roundtable

• RCC worked with retailers, government and other public and private sectors to organize a Roundtable for Alberta focused on addressing the specific concerns of retail crime for the province.  The Roundtable identified key priorities for the Province and RCC is actively leading the group through the recruitment of the stakeholders and building a Strategic Plan.

Ontario Retail Crime Strategy

• RCC worked in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) to form a Ontario Retail Crime Strategy.  The goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy addressing information exchange barriers, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, and establishing a provincial unit targeting ORC
 
• RCC worked with OACP Community Safety & Crime Prevention Committee, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) and with support from Toronto Police Service to release an updated version of the Retail Safety & Security Guide.  The Guide is available to all businesses and all partners involved in the project are also proactively communicating the guide to the community they support.

Maritimes Retail Crime Initiatives

• RCC has been able to secure active participation from Cape Breton, Halifax and Woodstock for participation in the National Taskforce and Retail Theft Blitzes with Fredericton also engaged in conversations to get involved later.

Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Projects

• Members of the RCC National Taskforce have been involved in several ORC projects throughout 2024.  There is a goal of establishing a more formalized Joint Force to be able to regularly organize ORC projects with police across the country. 

For more information on this committee, visit our main Loss Prevention page.

• RCC’s STORE Conference was held on May 28 and 29, 2024, bringing together industry leaders, retailers, and suppliers for two days of insightful presentations and valuable networking. The event featured more than 60 renowned retail executives, including Greg Hicks, Diana Dimitian, Doug Stephens, Michèle Boudria, Selwyn Crittendon, Eric Morris, AnnMarie Mercer, and many others.
 
• RCC STORE 25 Conference will take place on June 3 and 4, 2025.

RCC hosted five conferences, each focusing on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing our members across various retail sectors. These included:

• Retail Secure Conference
 
• Retail Human Resources Conference
 
• Retail Marketing Conference
 
• Retail Sustainability Conference
 
• Retail West Conference
 
• New this year, RCC hosted Retail Secure Manitoba Summit with great success, seeing over 400 people in attendance and a tremendous amount of media coverage due to the presence of Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew, Minister Matt Wiebe, and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham.

Our “In Conversation with Retail Leaders” series gives our vendor supplier members the opportunity to hear directly from leading retail executives across the country as they share their plans, best practices, and industry knowledge.

This year, we hosted four conversations, including:

• Michael Medline, President & CEO of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc.
 
• Frank Gambioli, President, Super.Market Division at Loblaw Companies Limited
 
• Eric La Fleche, President & CEO of Metro Inc.
 
• Luc L’Archeveque, Chief Merchandising Officer, Sobeys Inc.

• RCC hosted over fifteen webinars focusing on retail theft, store incident response, omnichannel strategies, sustainable packaging, consumer behaviour, holiday shopping trends, and RCC’s ever-popular Retail Conditions Quarterly Report.

An important part of RCC’s mission is recognizing the outstanding retail accomplishments of individuals and retail teams. In 2024, we celebrated the best in retail at two annual galas:

• The Excellence in Retail Awards recognized 16 impressive winners from a talented group of 65 finalists. RCC also honoured outstanding individuals in the industry, including Walter Lamothe, President and CEO of Bentley & Co. with a Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. George Soleas, President and CEO of the LCBO, who was named Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year; and Jennifer Grimm, Owner of LUX Beauty Boutique, who was awarded Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year.

• The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, held on May 29, 2024, presented 38 highly deserving awards from over 100 submissions. Michael Medline, President and CEO of Empire Company Limited, received the Trailblazer of the Year Award. Dino Bianco, CEO of Kruger Products Inc., was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

• The 2025 Excellence in Retail Awards Gala will be held on June 3, 2025, and The Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards Gala will be held on June 4, 2025.

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is committed to empowering retailers in Canada with exclusive insights into consumer behavior and retail industry trends. Through original research and innovative data tools, RCC provides members with additional information to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace.

Key 2024 Research Highlights

Caddle: Mapping Canada’s Key Spending Events

• RCC partnered with Caddle to survey over 9,000 Canadians for each of nine major shopping occasions in 2024, uncovering valuable insights into spending habits. The research highlighted what shoppers in Canda purchased, how much they spent, and how their behaviors evolved compared to previous years.  This year we studied key retail holidays such as Valentine’s Day, March Break, Easter, Mother’s Day, Summer Break Plans, Father’s Day, Canada Day, Back to School and Halloween. See all research.

Leger 360: Consumer and Retailer Deep Dives

• RCC x Leger Holiday Shopping Survey: The largest survey of its kind in Canda, our 7^th annual survey included over 2,500 shoppers across Canada, this survey was done in three phases in 2024, to explored holiday consumer sentiment (June/Aug/Oct), spending behaviors, and inspirations, with real-time updates on spending trends.  
 
• A Study of Sales Strategies and Challenges for Canada’s small and mid-zised retailers (SMBs). This pioneering study of over 750 SMBs showed 60% of SMBs use multiple sales channels, with 34% leveraging three or more, demonstrating adaptability in a competitive market.

Retail Conditions Report: Quarterly Leadership Insights

• This quarterly review featured candid feedback from retail leaders, representing thousands of storefronts, capturing key themes around economic conditions, consumer behavior, and industry challenges.

Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB): Retail Media Networks Barometer

• The RCC-IAB Canada study found 60% of agencies and brands collaborate with Retail Media Networks (RMNs), with most engaging 2-3 vendors. RMNs were seen as critical revenue drivers (90%) and key to strengthening brand-retailer partnerships (70%).

RCC Retail Pulse Dashboard: Your Data Powerhouse

• RCC’s enhanced Dashboard continues to provide Retail Council members with customizable views by region, starting with comprehensive Statistics Canada metrics, including retail sales, jobs, and economic indicators. It also integrates Environics Analytics for deeper insights into customer behavior. New this year, the Dashboard offers even greater capabilities with Moneris consumer spending data, now filterable by retail category.

RCC’s commitment to providing Canadian research and actionable data continues to help retailers navigate change with confidence. With tools and insights that reflect the evolving retail landscape, RCC equips its members to make informed, strategic decisions that drive success.

Retail Education Scholarship 2024

• The Retail Education Scholarship Program continued to support the next generation of retail leaders. We awarded scholarships to a diverse group of students pursuing careers in retail and business, ensuring that they get a chance to network and be mentored by the industry’s leaders. In 2024, we awarded sixteen, $1000, two $2000 and one, $3000 scholarships to Canadian students seeking a future in retail.

Certification Programs 

• Close to 10,000 retail employees have completed one of our numerous certification programs.

Educational Partnerships

• RCC strengthened its commitment to providing valuable training and resources for the retail sector through key partnerships.
 
• Our collaboration with Graff Retail Courses continues to offer retail professionals a comprehensive range of educational programs, covering everything from customer service excellence to advanced retail management skills. These courses provide practical knowledge that enhances the effectiveness of teams across the industry.
 
• Additionally, RCC’s partnership with Retail Safe Alcohol Training has played a critical role in ensuring that retailers meet legal requirements and maintain safe, responsible environments. The training programs are designed to educate employees on responsible alcohol service, helping businesses minimize risk and promote compliance with alcohol-related regulations.