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Gen Z Leads Digital Wallet Adoption in Canada: Interac Study

By
Retail Insider
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Photo: Shutterstock/licensed

Interac Corp. has unveiled striking insights into the payment preferences of young Canadians. A recent survey commissioned by the company reveals that Generation Z is at the forefront of a digital payment revolution, with nearly seven out of ten Gen Z adults in Canada adopting mobile wallets for their transactions.

The survey, conducted in July 2024, shows that 69% of Gen Z Canadians, aged 18-27, have integrated mobile wallets into their daily lives. This adoption rate significantly surpasses that of other generations, with Millennials following at 60%, Gen X at 44%, Baby Boomers at 27%, and the Silent Generation at just 10%. The trend is not just a matter of preference; it’s reshaping the very nature of how young Canadians interact with their finances.

Interac’s transaction data corroborates the shift, reporting a 27% increase in Interac Debit mobile contactless payments during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The surge is largely attributed to Gen Z’s digital-first habits. The convenience factor plays a significant role, with 63% of Gen Z mobile wallet users perceiving mobile transactions as faster than physical card payments.

However, the convenience comes with potential pitfalls. Glenn Wolff, Group Head and Chief Client Officer at Interac, warns that the ease of mobile payments could lead to unintended spending habits. “Choosing your default payment method may feel like a small step, but it can play a big role in shaping Canadians’ ongoing spending habits,” Wolff explained in a statement. He emphasizes that unlike traditional wallets where users consciously select a card for each transaction, mobile payments can occur almost on autopilot, potentially leading to unintended use of credit over debit.

The shift in payment methods is occurring against a backdrop of economic pressures. The survey found that 79% of Gen Z Canadians believe the cost of living is too high, and 59% feel compelled to be more prudent with their finances. As a result, 62% of Gen Z respondents expressed a desire to be more mindful of their spending habits.

The back-to-school season traditionally brings increased spending, particularly in clothing stores. Interac data from the previous year showed that family clothing stores experienced nearly double the Interac Debit mobile purchases in September and October compared to January and February. Recognizing this pattern, over half of Gen Z survey respondents (54%) acknowledged the need to develop new financial habits, with 56% setting September as a target to implement these changes.

Wolff notes that younger Canadians are particularly focused on maximizing their purchasing power as expenses rise. “This generation is among the worst hit by cost-of-living pressures, and it’s no wonder that they see the value of Interac Debit as a smart and controlled approach to digital spending,” he added.

The survey, conducted by Hill & Knowlton using the Leger Opinion online panel, sampled 1,500 Canadians from July 11 to 16, 2024. The results were weighted according to 2021 census figures for age, gender, and region, with a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Looming Rail Strike Threatens Canada’s Food Supply and Global Exports [Op-Ed]

By
Sylvain Charlebois
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Photo: Supply Chain Brain

A nationwide rail labour dispute looms on the horizon, potentially starting as early as Thursday, and it has already captured the attention of American media. The dispute threatens to disrupt a rail network that stretches across the continent—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. This network is critical to Canada’s agri-food economy, and a disruption involving over 9,300 engineers, conductors, and yard workers could have severe consequences for the entire food supply chain.

Of particular concern is the federal government’s response, or lack thereof. Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has declined Canadian National Railway’s request to impose binding arbitration as negotiations near their deadline. While labour laws and workers’ rights are cornerstones of Canadian values, the potential shutdown of a logistical system that underpins our agri-food sector poses a serious threat to food security. This is especially alarming as farmers are in the midst of harvesting and depend on the rail network to move their products to market. Delays could compromise grain quality, leading to substantial financial losses for farmers.

Canadian railways transport more than $360 billion worth of goods annually, representing over half of the country’s total exports, according to the Railway Association of Canada. Agriculture is one of the most affected industries, with about 95% of all grains being transported by rail. While trucks could temporarily cover some of the gaps, the higher costs and limited availability of trucks mean that they cannot fully compensate for the potential disruption. Reports indicate that transportation costs are already rising for those buying or selling agricultural commodities. As of Friday, of last week, the railway no longer accepts any domestic refrigerated containers into its terminals, impacting the cold chain that primarily transports food from Vancouver to Saint John, New Brunswick, and down to Laredo, Texas.

The impact on food costs will be felt throughout the supply chain. While collective bargaining is a fundamental right, gambling with the integrity of our agri-food economy and the livelihoods of countless farming operations and food companies is a risk we cannot afford to take.

The stakes extend well beyond Canada’s borders. As one of the world’s leading breadbaskets, Canada plays a vital role in global food security. A prolonged disruption in our rail system could not only threaten Canada’s food supply but also have severe repercussions on global markets. Many countries depend on Canadian grain, oilseeds, and other agricultural products. A bottleneck in our transportation network could lead to shortages in global markets, driving up food prices and exacerbating hunger in vulnerable regions.

According to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, 77% of Canadian manufacturers believe that labour stoppages negatively impact foreign investors’ perceptions of Canada. With at least four major Canadian labour disputes affecting our food supply chain in recent years, our international reputation is suffering.

In the long term, these recurrent labour disputes pose a serious threat to Canada’s food security and economic stability. The frequency and impact of these disruptions are eroding trust in our ability to maintain a stable food supply, both domestically and internationally. At some point, critical decisions must be made to protect the integrity of our food supply chain. If unions or companies must delay the shipment of cars and t-shirts, so be it. But food is different. It’s about survival. Holding the entire food economy—starting with farmers—hostage is unsustainable, frustrating, and must come to an end.

The long-term implications of this ongoing instability are profound. If not addressed, it could lead to permanent changes in how our food supply chain operates, with more companies seeking to bypass rail altogether or invest in costly alternatives like private trucking fleets. This would drive up food prices further, making it increasingly difficult for Canadians and people worldwide to afford essential goods. Additionally, the uncertainty could deter future investments in our agri-food sector, weakening our position in global markets.

Ultimately, a balanced approach is needed—one that respects workers’ rights while ensuring that essential services, like food transportation, remain uninterrupted. The stakes are too high, both for Canada and the world, to allow these disputes to continue without a clear, long-term strategy to protect our food security and economic future.

Traditional English Pub Elephant & Castle Opens in historic Calgary location

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Elephant & Castle Calgary

Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant (Elephant & Castle), a British-inspired pub chain, has officially opened in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood, just outside the downtown core, which was previously occupied by the Rose & Crown for many years.

The pub and brand are operated by Franworks, a North American restaurant group started locally in Calgary in 2000.

Marla Tice

“Calgary has such a vibrant soccer community, and at Elephant & Castle we want to continue to nurture that by hosting avid fans as they cheer on their favourite teams,” said Marla Tice, Elephant & Castle Brand Leader. “We aim to become the ‘home of soccer’ here in the city, a place where people can come together and share in the love of the game.”

Located at 1503 4th Street SW in the historic building previously home to the Rose & Crown Pub, Elephant & Castle is just off 17th Ave Southwest in Calgary’s Culture and Entertainment District. The pub is perfectly situated to be a top after-hours destination in the area, even boasting live music on the weekends and a daily $6 late-night happy hour where customers can grab cheap pints and shareables from 11 p.m. to close, it said.

“Elephant & Castle will also serve as a hub where people can connect over soccer (football), a cornerstone of British culture. The pub will broadcast a variety of international sports events, including top-tier soccer matches from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and the Canadian Premier League, as well as the new Canadian women’s professional league, the Northern Super League,” said the company.

“Elephant & Castle delivers an authentic British pub experience, with a wide selection of local and import beer and classic pub fare, from fish and chips, to bangers and mash, to shepherd’s pie. On the weekends, the pub will offer a traditional “Sunday Roast”, complete with roast beef, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and yorkshire pudding.”

Elephant & Castle Calgary
Elephant & Castle Calgary

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. bids for 7-Eleven stores and is purchasing GetGo Café +Markets

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo: 7-Eleven

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., a global leader in convenience and mobility, confirmed on Monday that it recently submitted a friendly, non-binding proposal to Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. for the purchase of 7-Eleven stores.

“The Company is focused on reaching a mutually agreeable transaction that benefits both companies’ customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders. There can be no certainty at this stage that any agreement or transaction will be reached. The Company does not anticipate issuing any further public statements regarding discussions with Seven & i unless or until an agreement is reached,” it said in a news release.

Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and mobility, operating in 31 countries and territories, with more than 16,700 stores, of which approximately 13,100 offer road transportation fuel. With its well-known Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, it is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Belgium, as well as in Ireland. It also has an important presence in Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, as well as in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of People’s Republic of China. Approximately 149,000 people are employed throughout its network.

Also on Monday, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire GetGo Café +Markets from supermarket retailer Giant Eagle, Inc.

GetGo, an innovative, food-first convenience store experience, employs approximately 3,500 employees and operates approximately 270 convenience retail and fueling locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. GetGo has a variety of models – from open-concept stores to stand-alone kiosks and features an extensive menu of high-quality, made-to-order foods. As part of this transaction, Couche-Tard and Giant Eagle have agreed to maintain and partner together on Giant Eagle’s widely popular myPerks loyalty program.

Brian Hannasch

“We are excited to welcome GetGo into the Couche-Tard family. As we learn more about the GetGo business, it is clear that it has built a strong and passionate customer base with high quality stores staffed by talented and engaged teams working to deliver a great experience. We have deep respect for its management and people as well as its outstanding food and loyalty programs. We look forward to growing together as we learn from and continue GetGo’s innovative approaches to serving its local customers and communities,” said Brian Hannasch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Couche-Tard. 

Bill Artman

“We are energized by the potential for both Giant Eagle and GetGo as a result of this transaction,” added Bill Artman, Chief Executive Officer of Giant Eagle. “This enhances our focus on our core supermarket and pharmacy businesses, strengthening Giant Eagle and better enabling us to make strategic investments in our people, stores, and value proposition while matching GetGo with the perfect partner in Couche-Tard. Their depth of experience in convenience stores and fuel will create tremendous opportunities for our team members and customers, and we look forward to partnering with them on the myPerks loyalty program.”

The acquisition is expected to close in 2025 subject to standard regulatory approval and closing conditions and will be financed using the company’s available cash and/or existing credit facilities, including its U.S. Commercial Paper Program. The companies are not disclosing the financial terms of the transaction.

Shutdowns at CN and CPKC will paralyze the economy: CFIB

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo credit: CN website

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on all parties to reach an immediate agreement to prevent a work stoppage at Canada’s major railway companies, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) currently scheduled at 00:01 ET Thursday, August 22.

Jasmin Guenette
Jasmin Guenette

“Any disruptions to railway operations could be devastating for small businesses, their employees and communities. Many small businesses rely on rail services to send and receive goods, products and essential materials. The longer the work stoppage goes on, the costlier it becomes for small firms who may lose sales and contracts if goods are not delivered or received on time,” said Jasmin Guenette, Vice-President, National Affairs.

“These shutdowns will also disrupt public transit and commuting to big cities such as Toronto or Montreal and lead to increased business costs and supply chain disruptions.

“Although the decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) prohibited the maintenance of certain activities during a work stoppage, politicians still have the power to change labour laws. CFIB continues to call on the government to make ports and rails an essential service, so they remain fully operational at all times.”

The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region.

“Rail shipments are vital to retail supply chains as our industry gears up for back-to-school and the holiday shopping season. A shutdown of Canada’s two main railway companies would be a one-two punch to retailers that could result in empty shelves across the country. RCC urges the parties to come to an immediate resolution and for the federal government to step in immediately if they do not,” said the Retail Council of Canada.

“RCC has joined a chorus of 80+ business associations in calling for immediate action by the Prime Minister and government to avert a disastrous shutdown of Canada’s rail network. Retailers need reliable rail to ensure Canadians have access to all the goods they need for their daily lives.”

AI and Human Touch: Brands Invest in Dual Approach to Meet Rising Customer Service Demands [Capterra Research]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Graphic credit: Capterra

According to research by Capterra, demand for customer service looks to be increasing, and brands plan to invest in both employees and software to handle this.

As in most industries, artificial intelligence (AI) may offer some solutions here. The technology has the potential to automate customer interactions and streamline back-end processes, said the report.  

And another Capterra report found that in a crowded marketplace, exceptional customer service can help brands stand out from the competition. But delivering on the promise of a great experience can be costly — it requires good people plus investment in customer service tools and processes. What’s more, customer service can be hard to scale. The more customers you have, the more effort it takes to keep them all happy.

Kampus Production

Eduardo García Rodríguez, an Analyst at Capterra, said a lot of brands are using different customer service support channels, but most stick to traditional ones – 82 per cent of survey respondents use email and phone calls as the most available channels.

Eduardo García Rodríguez

“So what we’ve seen here is that there’s a need to really find a hybrid between email and phone calls, and that tends to be live chat or chat bots. So there’s a kind of need for companies to diversify their customer service channels and use technology for that. Why? Because, I mean, in the end, hybrid live chat rep with representatives, or even chat bots, they address 24/7 interactions. They also provide attachments and they’re scalable as well. So I think there’s a kind of need to try and address those kind of issues. 

“Another key point is, when choosing the software you want to use, it is important to cater to customer demands. And something we have seen here is that there is a demand for immediacy and timeliness. We’ve seen this because 89 per cent of customers that use phone or live chat, they speak within 10 minutes with a representative, and the further 65 per cent you have, the statistic they say that issues are resolved in the same time frame. So it’s really important that addressing timeliness is an imperative for companies, and the best way to do that is when they’re seeking their software tools, it’s ones that cater to this kind of timeliness. 

“Why? The costs of meeting these demands is quite high. We’ve seen that 95 per cent of respondents track their customer satisfaction. So for them, customer feedback is essential in the same way that it’s essential for marketing, for sales, they seek that quantitative feedback, that measurable, customer satisfaction, and tend to do that with all the software tools. Customer satisfaction software can help them do that because it provides surveys and feedbacks. So the need to address timeliness is imperative as well for these kinds of companies.”

Rodríguez said research indicates 79 per cent of respondents in the Capterra survey say that the introduction of AI capabilities and customer service has impacted customers positively.

“AI is not perfect. It’s not always a solution to every customer service problem. It’s just it’s a solution to some. So respondents, they appreciate the benefits of AI, 64 per cent think it can reduce response time. 60 per cent believe it can save money. However, people are also realistic about the limits of AI and where it makes sense to bring in a human touch. AI cannot perform certain human tasks. We talk about multi language conversations, analyzing data, routine tasks. AI is very proficient in that. But humans are also considered to outperform AI and other tasks such as personalized interactions.”

Here are some of the key findings from the Capterra research:

  • 68 per cent of those whose company uses AI-powered customer service software have reported an increase in productivity levels;
  • Companies that are adopting AI tech for their customer service are putting measures in place to secure customer data in response to security concerns, such as secure data storage (68 per cent), data encryption (59 per cent);
  • 60 per cent of companies are offering customers the option to choose between AI and human-assisted interactions;
  • 54 per cent of Canadian businesses report increases in customer service satisfaction scores over the past two years, despite the low investment in customer service software solutions. However, half of respondents are already using AI in their customer service operations, which is impacting both customers and employees positively;
  • Over 80 per cent of those polled said their company offers phone or email support, while large proportions also provide help via live chat (49 per cent), social media (47 per cent), and SMS (46 per cent). 82 per cent of companies offer live phone support, but only 51 per cent use call centre software. Despite the added efficiency, just 35 per cent of those who don’t already use it have formal plans for an investment;
  • Customer satisfaction is a key performance indicator for customer service teams, with 95 per cent tracking it. A crucial determining factor for customer satisfaction is speed, and 89 per cent of respondents report that customers are able to speak to a representative on the phone or via live chat within 10 minutes. In fact, 54 per cent of respondents cite an improvement in customer satisfaction compared to two years ago;
  • 42 per cent of senior staff surveyed report that their company has plans to hire more customer service staff in order to keep up with growing demand. Beyond increasing headcount, companies are also looking to AI to offer solutions to problems like speed and cost, as 64 per cent of respondents believe AI can reduce response times, and 60 per cent believe it can save money. In fact, 68 per cent of those whose company uses AI-powered customer service software customer service representatives have reported an increase in productivity levels;
  • In certain areas, representatives believe that AI agents can outperform humans, for example in multiple language conversations (58 per cent), analyzing data and generating insights (55 per cent), routine tasks (46 per cent) and avoiding biases (45 per cent);
  • 79 per cent of respondents think that AI tools have an overall positive impact on customers. This is corroborated by the fact that 54 per cent of customer service representatives who say that their company uses AI-powered customer service software have reported an increase in customer satisfaction as a result;
  • However, no new tech is without its drawbacks, and maintaining customer trust will be a challenge to AI implementation, as cited by 40 per cent of respondents. Other challenges include ensuring accurate information (45 per cent) and maintaining customer privacy or security (31 per cent);
  • As the use of AI surrounds itself with concerns about data privacy, companies are putting measures in place to secure customer data, such as secure data storage (68 per cent), data encryption (59 per cent), secure communication channels (52 per cent), and incident response and reporting (49 per cent). Moreover, 83 per cent of representatives who use AI-powered customer service tools say they have received training on handling customer data when using it. For those customers who are wary of AI, 60 per cent of companies are offering customers the option to choose between AI and human-assisted interactions.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For August 19, 2024

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past few days.

MEC got lost in the woods. Has it found its way back to the path? (BC Business)

Store worker at Showcase refuses to sell customer item unless he signs up for loyalty program (Toronto Sun)

Combating retail theft in Winnipeg (CTV)

Man buys Rose Apothecary building from Schitt’s Creek and plans to open a new store (BlogTO)

‘There needs to be changes’: Downtown Vancouver store fed up after spending $300K to fight constant crime (CTV)

Grocery Stores Linked To Housing Projects in Calgary (Everyday Tourist)

Nova Scotia Leads Canada in Shoplifting Rates, StatCan Data Reveals (Retail Insider)

Beloved Weyburn plant shop owner dies, leaving legacy of creativity and kindness (CBC)

Regina food bank opens new location with grocery-shopping choice model (Star Phoenix)

New Brunswick’s Last Holdout, Miramichi, Lifts Sunday Shopping Restrictions (Retail Insider)

Toronto fire says downtown building evacuated, at risk of collapse (Global)

Pickering jewelry store robbery caught on video, 3 suspects at large (Toronto Sun)

Listeria Outbreak Exposes Gaps in Canada’s Food Safety System [Op-Ed]

By
Sylvain Charlebois
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The reaction to the recent Silk and Great Value plant-based dairy recall has been perplexing, to say the least. Despite three confirmed deaths now linked to the listeria outbreak, the first fatality occurred back in August 2023—almost a year before the official recall on July 8, 2024. Yet, there has been little public explanation for this delay. Both the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have been responsive and transparent in their investigation, identifying Danone’s Pickering Plant as the source. However, aside from a vague statement released by Danone in July, the public remains largely in the dark. The company’s name has scarcely been mentioned, raising many unanswered questions.

So far, cases have been reported in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia, with all three fatalities occurring in Ontario. This scenario is reminiscent of the 2008 listeria crisis involving Maple Leaf Foods, albeit on a smaller scale.

During the 2008 recall, Maple Leaf Foods was responsible for the deaths of 23 Canadians, with 57 confirmed cases of listeriosis. The first cases were reported just weeks before the recall, not months. The recall itself was massive, targeting over 200 cold cut products and receiving intense scrutiny from both the media and government officials. The aftermath led to significant changes in Canada’s food safety surveillance system, including the addition of new CFIA inspectors. Michael McCain, then CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, issued multiple apologies, most notably on August 18, 2008, when he stated that he didn’t need lawyers or accountants to “do the right thing.”

The 2008 crisis became one of Canada’s most well-known case studies in risk communication and food safety. Media coverage was relentless, with reporters asking tough questions and demanding transparency from Maple Leaf Foods about what was happening at their North York plant. A class-action lawsuit followed, which was settled months later for $27 million.

Another factor might be the busy news cycle this year, dominated by the Olympics and the U.S. Presidential election. However, it’s worth noting that 2008 also had its distractions, including the Beijing Olympics and Barack Obama’s historic campaign to become the first Black president. Despite these events, the listeria crisis still dominated headlines for weeks.

It’s also possible that Canadians have become more desensitized to food safety issues over the years. But desensitization doesn’t diminish the importance of transparency and accountability, especially when lives are at stake. Canadians deserve to know how this recall could have been prevented and why it took nearly a year after the first casualty to issue the recall. The timing of the recall, right in the middle of summer when fewer people pay attention to the news, only adds to the frustration.

In contrast, the current situation with Danone has received far less attention. The 2008 recall involved a highly Canadian company, Maple Leaf Foods, at a time when Canadian-made food safety incidents were rare. Danone, a foreign company, might not evoke the same level of scrutiny or public concern. Additionally, the media landscape has changed significantly since 2008, with fewer journalists available to cover such stories due to industry-wide cuts and layoffs. One could argue that the 2008 media environment, with its more robust coverage, played a crucial role in holding Maple Leaf Foods accountable.

Now, as Silk plant-based milk products slowly return to store shelves, the number of those sickened continues to rise, and the death toll may increase further. Hearing directly from Danone about how they plan to prevent future incidents would go a long way in restoring public trust.

Canadians deserve answers, and they deserve them now.

Nova Scotia Leads Canada in Shoplifting Rates, StatCan Data Reveals

By
Retail Insider
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Photo: Shutterstock/Licensed

Nova Scotia has emerged as the province with the highest rate of shoplifting incidents in Canada, according to a recent analysis of Statistics Canada crime data. British Columbia follows closely in second place, as retailers across the country grapple with increasingly brazen theft attempts amidst rising living costs.

The Canadian crime data for 2023, released by Statistics Canada in late July of this year, paints a diverse picture of shoplifting rates across the nation. While Quebec reports the lowest rate at 155.19 incidents per 100,000 people, Nova Scotia stands out with a staggering 676.97 incidents per 100,000 residents. This stark contrast highlights the varying challenges faced by retailers in different regions of the country.

Nova Scotia’s shoplifting woes have been on a steep upward trajectory. In 2022, the province reported 5,923 shoplifting incidents, translating to about 578 crimes per 100,000 people – a 115% increase from the previous year. The situation further deteriorated in 2023, with the rate jumping by approximately 17% to 678 crimes per 100,000 people, totalling 7,176 individual shoplifting instances. Law enforcement responded by more than doubling the number of charges laid, with 853 individuals facing legal consequences in 2023 compared to 417 in 2022.

British Columbia, the runner-up in the unfortunate ranking, has also witnessed significant increases in shoplifting rates. The province recorded 31,391 shoplifting incidents in 2023, marking a 12% increase from the previous year to reach about 568 incidents per 100,000 people. The surge follows an even more dramatic spike of almost 18% from 2021 to 2022. 

While some provinces like Alberta have seen slight declines in shoplifting rates, others such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba have experienced substantial increases. Ontario, being the most populous province, unsurprisingly reports the highest absolute number of shoplifting crimes, with 61,629 incidents in 2023. However, its per capita rate remains lower than several smaller provinces.

Retailers across Canada are responding to these trends with various measures. In Alberta, some liquor stores have installed ID scanners at entrances to deter potential thieves, although this practice has raised privacy concerns. In Manitoba, the provincial government has pledged to fund additional police presence in high-risk areas to combat shoplifting.

Spanish Jeweler PdPaola Looks to Open Stores in Canada

By
Retail Insider
-
Photo: PdPaola

Spanish jewelry brand PdPaola, known for its contemporary designs, is setting its sights on the North American market with an ambitious expansion plan that includes Canada. The company, which has gained popularity in Europe and beyond, is now poised to make a significant impact in North America.

At the helm of this expansion effort is Jason McNary, PdPaola’s newly appointed CEO for its North American operations. With 25 years of experience in the retail sector, including successful stints with Spanish brands like Unode50 and Hoss Intropia, McNary brings valuable expertise to guide PdPaola’s growth in this crucial market.

The company’s strategy for North American expansion is said to be multifaceted, combining digital prowess with a strong physical presence. As a digital-native brand, PdPaola will initially focus on strengthening its online presence. And, recognizing the importance of brick-and-mortar locations in establishing brand identity, the retailer has set an ambitious goal of opening approximately 100 stores across the United States and Canada within the next three years.

Photo: PdPaola

New York City will see the first PdPaola store opening in November, marking the beginning of a series of launches in major metropolitan areas. Dallas, Houston, Miami, Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Las Vegas are among the cities slated for future openings. The initial phase of this expansion will target high-street locations and shopping centers, aiming to create a strong visual presence in key retail hubs. There’s no word yet which city in Canada will see the retailer’s first physical stores.

The company’s approach to the North American market is both cautious and optimistic. Drawing from experiences in other international markets, PdPaola aims to adapt its strategies to suit local preferences while maintaining its global brand identity. This balanced approach reflects the company’s commitment to thoughtful expansion and long-term success in the competitive North American retail landscape.

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