Target Announces First Canadian Stores
By admin | January 5, 2012
Target Canada announced its first wave of 24 stores that will be opening in Ontario in early 2013.
It is not a surprise to see the first cluster of stores all located close to its Ontario based supply chain and head office.
These stores will benefit from short supply chain lead times and the close proximity of headquarters staff who can keep an eye on their first stores.
This likely means that these stores will also be the first Zellers stores to “go dark” so the expected 9-12 months of renovations can begin.
The store list includes:
- London Westmount, Westmount Shopping Centre
- Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay Square Mall
- Newmarket, Upper Canada Mall
- Milton, Milton Mall Shopping Centre
- Cambridge, Cambridge Centre
- Toronto, Centrepoint Mall
- Mississauga, Square One Shopping Centre
- Ajax, Durham Centre
- Orillia, Orillia Square Mall
- Brampton, Shoppers World Brampton
- London, Masonville Place
- Windsor, Devonshire Mall
- Toronto, Cloverdale Mall
- Toronto, Shoppers World Danforth
- Burlington, Burlington Mall
- Toronto, East York Town Centre
- Aurora, Aurora Shopping Centre
- Fergus, Gates of Fergus
- Hamilton, Centre Mall
- Guelph, Stone Road Mall
- Burlington, Millcroft Centre
- Waterdown, Flamborough Power Centre
- Whitby, Taunton Road Power Centre
- Brampton, Trinity Common
Topics: January 2012 | No Comments »
SINS Canadian Retail Index – Week Ending December 30, 2011
By admin | January 1, 2012
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
2011 In Review: Our Top 20 Stories Of The Year
By admin | December 19, 2011
It is always interesting to look back on the past year and to see which stories appeared to have the biggest impact on our industry based on the number of clicks that they earn each week in our e-newsletter.
2011 brought us the news that Target would be coming to Canada in 2013 and that Zellers days were limited. We saw big changes at Canada’s biggest retailer and we also saw the demise of the CCGD. We also heard that Kraft would split its business in two after acquiring Cadbury not so long ago.
As we reflect on these stories it is interesting to think about what impact they have had on our individual businesses as well as what the lasting impact will be for us.
It also make us curious as to what will be the big stories of 2012. Lots of Target news of course. But other stories will likely include more changes at Loblaw under its new leadership, the closing of Zellers stores and it impact on the market, the continued rise of dollar store retailers (including the expansion of Dollar Tree operations in Canada) and many, many more.
Here are the stories that most interested you over the past year:
Target Store List Gets A Little Clearer – And Muddier
US Vendors Show Interest In Becoming Target Canada Vendors
Major Organizational Changes At Loblaw
Five Points To Consider About The Zellers / Target Deal
Canada’s Retail Execs Have A Tidy Payday
Mac’s Continues To Think Like A Supermarket
Ten US Grocery Retailers You Don’t Know – But Should
Leadership Secrets Of Loblaws Invisible Man
Target Watch: Video Games, Doritos & Mountain Dew
SDMs Confusing Private Label Food Offering
Woman Empties Store Shelves With Coupons
CCGD Shuts Down – Biggest Members Sign With RCC
SINS App Review – Microsoft Photosynth
Retailer Musical Chairs – What Does It Mean For Suppliers
Canadian Grand Prix Product Awards – Credible or Not?
Grocery Business: A New Trade Mag In Town
A Special Message From Zellers
CPG Connect Industry Salary Survey
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
SINS Canadian Retail Index – Week Ending December 16, 2011
By admin | December 18, 2011
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
SINS Flashback – Sobeys “Star Of Christmas” TV Spots
By admin | December 16, 2011
Growing up in Halifax in the 1980′s – Sobeys was the BIG name in groceries. It was before Superstore and Walmart and your big holiday grocery shop was done at Sobeys.
Back in the day, the Christmas season started when Sobeys long-running commercial “Star of Christmas” started playing on ATV.
We all have those ads from our childhood that we can recite by heart and thirty years later I found myself signing along word for word.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Sales Is Not Simple!
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
SINS Canadian Retail Index – Week Ending December 9, 2011
By admin | December 12, 2011
Topics: December 2011, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Grocers And Vendors Giving Back This Holiday Season
By admin | December 12, 2011
I was in Superstore today and noticed an end aisle featuring a limited edition President’s Choice Blue Menu deluxe macaroni and cheese dinner. It was branded as Extra Helping and was $5 per box.
Loblaw has partnered with the Extra Helping National Holiday Food Drive to try and raise $1.2 million and 1.2 million pounds of food in 2011 through the purchase of President’s Choice Blue Menu macaroni and cheese.
Each $5 box of macaroni and cheese will contribute $1 as a cash donation and $4 worth of non-perishable food to local food banks. Customers can also donate by purchasing or bringing in non-perishable food items or cash donations.
This innovative campaign is similar to the Buy One Give One BOGO format that some companies have adopted in response to demonstrating corporate social responsibility. It is different and more innovative than the traditional food donation box campaigns.
I also noticed that ConAgra is featuring a similar campaign. When customers buy any 4 participating ConAgra food products, the company will donate $1 to food banks across Canada. Participating brands from ConAgra include: Hunt’s and Chef Boyardee and VH to name a few.
The holidays and the winter season are a time for giving. Need is high and is ever increasing.
These campaigns offer consumers an opportunity to support social causes that they care about. Also, retailers can build their brand and category sales while food banks are consulted to identify products they need.
If the holiday food drive targets are met, maybe more companies will get on board to offer more of these programs in the future offering a win-win for both the retailer and those in need.
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
SINS Canadian Retail Index – Week Ending December 2, 2011
By admin | December 4, 2011
Topics: December 2011 | No Comments »
SINS Canadian Retail Index – Week Ending November 25, 2011
By admin | November 27, 2011
Topics: November 2011 | No Comments »
Save On Foods Focuses On Local Foods
By admin | November 25, 2011
The definition of local food can be defined in many ways, but the most common definition is that of 100 miles. Is this 100-mile definition attainable for Canadian consumers? Are we only able to eat certain local foods, whereas others have to be imported from other countries or other far-off areas of our own large country?
Approximately half of the food Canadians consume crosses international borders. Is it possible then, for Canadians to achieve self-sufficiency through our own local food system?
This could be achieved if food is grown, processed and sold within the same region. Consumers are willing to pay more for local food. But, local food production is hard to execute, despite a relatively high level of consumer demand.
However, local food production supports local farmers, supports the local economy and reduces the distances food has to travel leading to higher quality and taste.
Some retailers such as Save On Foods are starting to pave the way towards the local food initiative in Western Canada.
Last week, Save On Foods opened up a new store in Sherwood Park, Alberta with a strong local emphasis. There will be displays featuring local foods from 22 Alberta food processors, including over 190 lines in total.
One such processor is Pure Indulgent Foods. This Calgary, AB based company introduced the hugely successful flats crackers. Consumers are willing to pay for these unique foods made with real ingredients sourced from local growers.
At Save On Foods, more than half of the 300 varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits come from family-operated farms in B.C. and Alberta. Also, the grocery chain carries fresh, local cheeses and over 85% of the bakery selection is produced in B.C. and Alberta. It also supplies 100% western Canadian beef, chicken and pork.
In order to continue to support the local food system, retailers should build strong relationships with local farmers and help develop supply chain infrastructure. Also, diversification of crops and improved distributor and retailer partnerships will further the initiative.
As Save On Foods has shown it is possible for a retailer to use local foods as a differentiator and to build an excellent assortment of local products that supports the local economy, creates excitement at retail and meets shopper needs. A great model to emulate across Canada!
Topics: November 2011, Uncategorized | No Comments »
