Retail Council of Canada

Canadians set to spend a record $898 this holiday with 88% seeking ways to make their budgets go further.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Displaying a resilient spirit, Canadians are projected to spend an unprecedented $898 this holiday season.

Key Points: 
  • Displaying a resilient spirit, Canadians are projected to spend an unprecedented $898 this holiday season.
  • "Retailers across the nation recognize these needs and will be providing Canadians with unique holiday shopping experiences, bolstered by exceptional products and engaging, value-added promotions."
  • Unwavering Generosity: Canadians predict they will spend an average holiday expenditure of $898, a rise from last year's $782.
  • A substantial 80% of this amount will be allocated for gifting others, underscoring Canadians' festive and giving spirit.

Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us Canada Celebrate 10 New Store Openings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 7, 2023

TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Just in time for the holiday rush, Toys"R"Us Canada expands their world of play across Canada with 10 store openings, including two first-of-its-kind new stand alone Babies"R"Us locations.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Just in time for the holiday rush, Toys"R"Us Canada expands their world of play across Canada with 10 store openings, including two first-of-its-kind new stand alone Babies"R"Us locations.
  • Recently, Retail Council of Canada reported, 81% of Canadians will shop at brick-and-mortar retailers in their neighbourhood instead of purchasing their items online.
  • With an increase in Canadians going back to in-store shopping this holiday season, Toys"R"Us Canada is meeting this demand by opening eight Toys"R"Us locations, plus two stand alone Babies"R"Us locations in Edmonton.
  • "These openings couldn't have come at a better time," says, Nick Muriella, Vice President of Merchandising & Supply Chain.

Inflation is down overall, so why are my grocery bills still going up?

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, July 30, 2023

The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.8 per cent in June compared to last year, but food prices increased by 8.3 per cent.

Key Points: 
  • The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.8 per cent in June compared to last year, but food prices increased by 8.3 per cent.
  • The gap between general inflation and food prices is puzzling — and frustrating — for many, especially because the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hikes don’t seem to be affecting food prices at all.
  • But food prices don’t respond to interest rate policies as much as other factors do.

Competition Bureau report

    • Canada’s competition watchdog, the Competition Bureau, recently released a report that called for more competition in the Canadian food retail market.
    • The report suggested that more competition might help high food prices in Canada.
    • However, the Competition Bureau’s report ignored this, instead focusing on individual profit growth, which was similar for all three major brands.

Foreign competition

    • The Competition Bureau’s report also suggested that more foreign competition would benefit Canadian consumers, but that foreign competitors viewed the Canadian market as tough to break into.
    • A spokesperson from the Retail Council of Canada said foreign competitors didn’t feel they would be able to compete when it comes to prices.
    • Given this, it’s difficult to see how foreign competition would actually help bring prices down.

No single cause for food inflation

    • The reality is that there isn’t a single cause for food price increases in Canada; there are a combination of factors that affect different food categories.
    • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the prices of wheat and edible oils.
    • India curtailed wheat exports, Argentina limited wheat and soybean oil and Indonesia limited palm oil exports.

A perfect storm

    • Flooding in California’s Salinas Valley caused disruptions in lettuce and tomato production, leading to higher prices for these products.
    • Europe had price increases and product shortages this winter due to bad weather conditions in northern Africa and southern Europe.
    • All these factors are happening simultaneously to create a perfect storm of food price increases.

Canadian retailer Diane's Lingerie named 2023 Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year by Retail Council of Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 19, 2023

"Diane's Lingerie is a shining example of a retailer that embodies the true spirit of entrepreneurship and community service," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada.

Key Points: 
  • "Diane's Lingerie is a shining example of a retailer that embodies the true spirit of entrepreneurship and community service," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada.
  • Diane's Lingerie is a well-deserving recipient of the Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year award, and they represent the best of what the retail industry has to offer."
  • "Diane's Lingerie is honoured to be named Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year.
  • The Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year Award will be presented to Diane's Lingerie at Retail Council of Canada's Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on May 30, 2023, at the Toronto Congress Centre from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards: Finalists Announced

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 12, 2023

The 30th Annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award finalists represent 107 of the most impressive food and non-food products launched into the Canadian market in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • The 30th Annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award finalists represent 107 of the most impressive food and non-food products launched into the Canadian market in 2022.
  • Von Albrecht, who has who has overseen the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards judging for 24 years, has directly witnessed the evolution of product development.
  • Finalists can use the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award finalist seal on their products.
  • On May 31, 2023, the winners of the key categories and five specialty awards, will be announced live at the 30th Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award Gala Dinner.

INEO to Participate in Upcoming Retail Loss Prevention and Out-of-Home Advertising Conferences

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Kyle Hall, CEO of INEO, will be attending both conferences.

Key Points: 
  • Kyle Hall, CEO of INEO, will be attending both conferences.
  • Additionally, the INEO Welcoming System will be showcased inside the Prosegur Security booth at the Retail Secure Conference.
  • Hosted by Retail Council of Canada, RCC's Retail Secure Conference brings top retail loss prevention experts, industry suppliers, security and law enforcement professionals together to explore actionable systems and forward-thinking retail solutions.
  • This annual event for retail loss prevention professionals is Canada's only retail conference developed specifically to address contemporary preventative loss mitigation strategies.

DirectPay enables Interac e-Transfer payments on Xero

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

DirectPay, a Xero certified app by Payment Source, allows fast, low-cost bank payments for Xero customers in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • DirectPay, a Xero certified app by Payment Source, allows fast, low-cost bank payments for Xero customers in Canada.
  • TORONTO, Feb. 7, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - Payment Source, the Canadian fintech powering digital payments, today announced its integration of Interac e-Transfer® with DirectPay to Xero, the global small business platform.
  • DirectPay enables e-Transfer as a payment option on Xero invoices with automatic payment matching and reconciliation.
  • DirectPay makes it easy for Xero customers to get paid by enabling Interac e-Transfer as a payment option on their invoices.

SURVEY: Canadians planning more celebrations and intend to spend the same as last year despite financial challenges

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 24, 2022

The current financial strains are being felt by 6 in 10 Canadians yet overall, Canadians plan to spend about the same amount, $790, as they anticipated to spend in 2021.

Key Points: 
  • The current financial strains are being felt by 6 in 10 Canadians yet overall, Canadians plan to spend about the same amount, $790, as they anticipated to spend in 2021.
  • This year's survey added applied analyticsto weigh stated behaviours with what will likely actually impact consumer behaviours.
  • Product categories that Canadians will spend the most on have shifted with the anticipation of more in-person gatherings.
  • RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association that represents small, medium, and large retail businesses in every community across the country.

An essential one-stop tool to access up-to-date data for the retail industry launches today

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 26, 2022

A new interactive platform that delivers data on Canadian retail sales, retail job numbers, economic data, and consumer spending.

Key Points: 
  • A new interactive platform that delivers data on Canadian retail sales, retail job numbers, economic data, and consumer spending.
  • The RETAIL PULSE DASHBOARD collects and consolidates, data from various sources, including Statistics Canada, to allow users to find critical information across multiple retail sectors, regions, and timeframes.
  • "Regularly updated overview information on the retail industry is available to everyone.
  • RCC is a not-for-profit industry-funded association that represents small, medium, and large retail businesses in every community across the country.

Industry support grows for Grocery Heroes Day

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 13, 2022

TORONTO, July 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grocery Heroes Day is July 19, and industry support from retailers and suppliers continues to grow.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, July 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grocery Heroes Day is July 19, and industry support from retailers and suppliers continues to grow.
  • Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, says the organization is proud to support Grocery Heroes Day.
  • Celebrate Grocery Heroes Day on July 19 and upload images of how you recognized your grocery heroes at groceryheroesday.ca.
  • For more ideas on how to recognize Grocery Heroes and for downloadable materials to support the day, visit Grocery Heroes online at groceryheroesday.ca.