Canada’s food service industry has suffered. But the pandemic may be exactly what it has been waiting for to make things better
It was certainly a year to be forgotten for the food service industry. Statistics Canada numbers told us this week that food service sales dropped a whopping 32 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the same period in 2020. The food retail/service ratio, a key metric to assess how important food service…
Treat others the way you would like to be treated, know why you’re selling and put together a good plan that you’re willing and able to follow
Like many entrepreneurs and sales professionals, I’ve been selling since I was a teenager. Over the years, I’ve hawked worms, newspapers, pins, chocolate bars and books door to door, knives and lamps on street corners, vitamins and herbs in retail and online, and, eventually, advertising, as well as coaching services and training to companies. I…
Here are our suggestions to help you change your fortunes
I’m one of the worst people you can have buying you gifts. I tend to be one of those guys who shop on Men’s Day at the mall, which is more generally referred to as Christmas Eve. When I was in retail, I would be tired after weeks of selling others gifts and helping them…
An increase of 0.4 per cent came after retail sales in the province had fallen below levels last reported in August 2017
Retail sales in Alberta reached $6.7 billion in October, up 0.4 per cent from the previous month, according to a report released Friday by Statistics Canada. The federal agency said the increase came after retail sales in the province had fallen below levels last reported in August 2017. “Despite the gain, the level of retail…
This year, stop rushing through the holidays long enough to let your thoughts be diverted from the burdens of work to the joyfulness of the season
What do we miss by rushing through the celebrations and skipping the festivities of the Christmas season? At the end of the year, many people celebrate holidays like Christmas or Hanukah, New Year’s Eve or Festivals of Lights. Even if you aren’t religious, you probably celebrate Christmas with gifts or family gatherings and large meals.…
Dollar stores in Canada sold well over $2 billion worth of food last year. And given how aggressive dollar stores are, that could double quickly
A visit to any dollar store is something to remember: the bright lights, aisles filled with things you may or may not need, and the distinctive smell. If we had to create a smell that mixes plastic with China, the smell in a dollar store would be it. It’s not overly appetizing but a greater…
And fewer consumers plan to shop on Black Friday and Boxing Day this year, according to Accenture survey
Environmentally friendly products will account for about one-third of Canadians’ spending this holiday season, according to the eighth annual Holiday Shopping Survey from Accenture. But they will be spending a little less money this year on average. “With increased awareness about the climate crisis, it’s no surprise that responsible retail matters now more than ever,…
Sales have been falling every month since August 2018: ATB
A slow economy continues to dampen the number of new vehicles being sold in Alberta, according to ATB Financial’s Economics and Research Team. In its daily economic update The Owl, the financial institution said the seasonally adjusted number of new vehicles purchased in Alberta was down by 6.1 per cent in September compared to a…
The six stores in Alberta that will close early in the new year are mostly former Rona outlets that Lowes says are underperforming
Lowe’s Canada is closing 34 of its what it call “underperforming” stores across Canada including six in Alberta. "While making decisions that impact our associates and their families is never easy, closing underperforming stores is a necessary step in our plan to ensure the long-term stability and growth of our Canadian business," said Tony Cioffi,…
Study clearly shows consumers continue to enjoy shopping in physical stores: Retail Council of Canada
It may be tied to an American holiday but increasingly Canadian consumers are doing their shopping on Black Friday. According to the Retail Council of Canada's (RCC) second annual Holiday Shopping Survey, which was released on Tuesday, 43 per cent of Canadian consumers plan to open their wallets on Black Friday, Nov. 29, the day…