From the latest in consumer behaviour and retail operations, to the future of big picture issues like sustainability and the metaverse, STORE covers it all!

With core retail sales up 7.7% YoY in 2021, followed by Jan/2022 up 8.2% YoY and February up 5.4% YoY, retail in Canada is definitely back. Yet challenges remain, from labour shortages to supply chain issues, inflation, and the unpredictable impact of global geopolitical issues. While top line growth is healthy, what will the impact be on margins?

Impact, opportunities and challenges – what’s the current picture for Canada’s Retail Cannabis industry?

Deloitte’s latest report on retail cannabis in Canada shows the industry has grown to almost $4B in annual sales, sustains over 90,000 jobs, and has made $29B in capital expenditures and paid over $15B in taxes and licensing fees in its first three years of operation. It continues to grow – Statistics Canada reported that monthly sales were up over 28% YoY in December and 2021 sales were up 50% over 2021, despite lower prices.

Inclusion. Talent. Diversity. What do these all mean for retailers here in Canada?

The latest Retail Conditions report from the Retail Council of Canada showed that today’s two main concerns for retailers in Canada were supply chain challenges, followed by talent shortages. Their “Retail HR Forum” is completely focused on that second point - the challenges surrounding talent.

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How do you map your path into the future when your rear view mirror no longer works?

2021 was a year for the books, and not one that any of us will soon forget. It challenged us in ways we didn’t anticipate, and is forcing us to look towards a future that’s likely to look very different from the past.

As retail recovers, how will retailers find the right people to drive that recovery across their organizations?

To get help finding the retail professionals they need, it would make sense for them to turn to a retail professional with a track record for driving success herself. Especially one with experience across multiple retail profiles, and in areas as varied as store operations, marketing, analytics, training & development and more.

As vaccination rates go up and health regulations ease, what’s the outlook for Canada’s retail industry?

Statistics Canada reported that July core retail sales were up 3.1% YoY, and sales for the bellwether clothing and apparel sectors were up 7.6%, reaching their highest levels since the start of the pandemic. And consumer confidence was at its highest level since pre-COVID levels.

As retail re-emerges and adjusts to our new normal, the key question is – what’s next?

From store closures to supply chain challenges and now labour shortages, the pandemic has handed retailers challenge after challenge. As retail re-emerges, overcoming those challenges and turning them into opportunities will be the key to delivering on the ongoing need to compete and grow.