How Integrating Customer Insights Boosts Brand Success and Profitability [Op-ed]

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July 16, 2024

Coach Regent Street (Image: Alex Kurunis)

By Liza Amlani and Raj Dhiman, Retail Strategy Group

Acquiring customers isn’t costly, losing them is. And, they can be lost when a company fails to deliver on what the customer is looking for.

But, why should that even happen in the first place? Especially since companies can get more information and insights about their customers than ever before.

The issue is twofold:

First, customer insights commonly reside in the bailiwick of marketing. Doesn’t matter where the insights come from, a loyalty program for example. These are viewed as a tool for marketing, creating customer segments and delivering targeted offers.

Second, different functions within an organization are often focused on different (and sometimes competing) goals. As such, functions don’t share information with one another that can help elevate the brand as a whole.

For retailers and brands, this is exemplified by the disconnected relationship between marketing and merchandising. They operate in isolation and only come together when a product assortment has been finalized.

The problem is that the customer is dynamic. Therefore, insights about the customer need to be fed back to merchandising to inform product creation. But, as described above, there is no opportunity to do so before the products are ready to hit the shop floor.

Brands then find themselves in trouble by putting either too many or irrelevant products into their assortment. Customers don’t buy the products and the brand sits on excess inventory which needs to be cleared out at a discount. This in turn hurts profitability and gross margins.

The trick here is for companies to change how they view insights and loyalty programs. No longer are they just marketing tools, they are tools for product creation. Brands can use the data they have on hand to conduct focus groups, cut underperforming products, and validate new offerings.

We offer three examples showcasing how insights can drive profitable assortment decisions.

First, ULTA Beauty’s success is reflective of the connection between marketing and merchandising. In fact, according to Business of Fashion, 96% of ULTA Beauty’s sales come from loyalty program members. Personalized marketing and product recommendations translate to sales. Further, merchandising teams track purchasing behaviour to inform product assortments and allocation strategies.

Second, the puzzle maker Jiggy discovered the value of using direct, loyalty insights. At first, the intention of the loyalty program was to drive repeat purchases. As membership grew, the CEO of Jiggy (Kaylin Marcotte) would call customers to ask them what was important to them in the product mix. Kaylin refers to her loyalty program members as her focus group. She pulls insights from her data and then follows up with customers for real-time conversations. Kaylin then forms new offerings based on that feedback. As such, she hedges the bet in her favor that customers will buy from her informed product assortment.

Finally, Coach used customer testing to become the top handbag brand for female teens in the US. The Tabby Bag is an example of taking an archived style and using insights to make it a powerhouse product. The bag was inspired by a style from the 1970’s and developed using Gen Z customer validation and testing. Only when the initial release of the bag proved to be a hit did design get the green light to develop new versions. These versions have different sizes, materials and price points. As they are developed, they are tested with customers to ensure Coach was hitting the mark. The brand generated demand with a target demographic and is poised to create a new segment of loyal customers.

In all three examples, connecting the insights about the customer to product creation proves to be a success.

Conclusion

The importance of data and customer insights for brands and retailers cannot be understated. However, the true power of that information does not lie in the information itself. Instead, organizational issues must be overcome. Namely, for data to not just reside with marketing and for the insights to be fed back to product creation. This way, products are created that customers truly want and brands can drive profitability and preserve gross margins.

Bio

Liza Amlani and Raj Dhiman are Co-Founders of Retail Strategy Group. The firm works with retailers and brands, helping them to improve profitability and increase organizational effectiveness. Even in turbulent times, market leading brands turn to Retail Strategy Group to deliver breakthrough results.

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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For July 16th, 2024

By

Retail Insider

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July 15, 2024

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 24 hours.

Lululemon accused of greenwashing environmental goals, impact (Financial Post)

Canada Goose appoints new chief digital and information officer (Retail Dive)

Tim Hortons launches new energy beverages in Canadian stores | Dished

Montreal’s Royalmount mega-mall has been delayed and will now open in September (MTL Blog)

‘It’s a pretty big thing’: Elora grocery store opting to sell booze, but others say it’s too much work (CBC)

‘NEW TIMELINE’: Ontario Premier Doug Ford government releases update on grocery stores selling ready-to-drink alcohol and large beer pack (Inside Halton) and Ready-to-drink cocktails, large beer packs coming to Ontario grocery stores on Thursday (Global)

Tourism association calls for end to LCBO strike, says dispute hurting operators (VIA)

Homegrown Business: Amir Bahar of Pink Martini Collection (Toronto Guardian)

Why the Ford government nixed deposit on soft drink cans, bottles (CBC)

Hay River’s Polar Eggs are back on store shelves in the N.W.T. (CBC)

Southgate City Project in Burnaby to Launch Retail Hub in 60-Acre Community with Thousands of Highrise Homes [Interview]

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 15, 2024

Ledingham McAllister is bringing a brand new era of thoughtful living to the City of Burnaby.

Southgate City, a revolutionary 60-acre master planned community in the Edmonds neighborhood, is one of Canada’s most significant and largest communities of its kind.

The project will eventually comprise 12,500 homes, more than 33,000 residents and up to 400,000 square feet of retail and office space.

Public amenities will include a five-acre central park, a 60,000-square-foot public plaza, five kilometres of bike paths, eight kilometres of pedestrian paths and a new community centre.

Dan Clark, Partner at Sitings Realty Ltd., which is leasing the retail and office aspects of the development, said a Safeway (50,850 square feet) will open the first phase of retail at Southgate City, joined by TD Bank (6,868 square feet) and CEFA Early Learning (20,817 square feet).

There’s also a small food and beverage unit of about 1,270 square feet to be leased in the first phase.

“We have roughly 25,000 square feet of second floor retail/medical space that we can see being leased to physiotherapists, dentists, specialty medical, small and mid format fitness operators. Retail that can thrive in a second-floor setting and take benefit of the slightly reduced rents in comparison to ground floor space,” said Clark.

The first phase of the commercial part of the overall development will be under construction soon with businesses expected to be open by 2028.

Clark is working with Nancy Bayly, Vice President, also of Sitings, to lease the project.

“I think we’re seeking everyday best in class service oriented tenants. So it’s more basic needs type of retail – grocery, pharmacy, liquor store, dental, medical, fitness. A typical grocery-anchored shopping centre lineup,” said Clark.

“Everyone, as a part of the neighbourhood that they’re living in, they want to have their grocery store. This site used to be home to the Safeway distribution centre. So they’re coming back into the property in a retail capacity which is great.”

The project, adjacent to the Edmonds SkyTrain Station, will include 26 highrise and 17 lowrise buildings with about 11 million square feet of residential area.

The SkyTrain has average daily riders of 23,833 on Monday to Friday and 13,372 average daily riders on weekends and holidays.

The total trade area had a population of 87,435 in 2022. And it’s projected to continue to grow to 120,304 in 2025, 160,830 in 2030 and 175,544 in 2035.

“The interesting thing about this area is that it’s going to consist on buildout of 12,500 homes and upwards of 33,000 residents in 60 acres. Very dense. It’s a city. It’s larger than many small city’s/towns in the province,” said Clark.

“It’s a great setting. A new residential community. It will be a great place to live within Burnaby.”

Mary Brown’s Chicken Unveils Prototype Store with Plans for Further Canadian Expansion [Interview]

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 15, 2024

mary browns_wetaskwin (98 of 104) (1) — Image: Mary Brown's Chicken

Canadian-based fast-food chain Mary Brown’s Chicken recently opened a new prototype location in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

The innovative concept is characterized by a spacious 2,500-square-foot interior.

The company said the interiors are outfitted with a cutting-edge design featuring an open dining room with high ceilings and focuses on ample glazing to maximize natural lighting.

Other features of the prototype store include a drive-thru and it adopts the innovative T-line back-of-house kitchen concept which aims to optimize operational efficiencies.

Exterior elements and a spacious patio, an extension of the interior dining room, have been enhanced to align with Mary Brown’s branding to ensure a cohesive visual identity.

“It’s stunning. It’s gorgeous. It’s a standalone building. It’s 2,800 square feet with an interior of about 2,500 (square feet) useable space,” said Liza Dournayan, Senior Director, Design and Construction.

“It’s everything we dreamed of building for our one of a kind, sort of our prototype store, our anchor store. It’s got unique features. It’s a standalone building. It has a designated patio with a drive-thru. It has a nice wide sort of free open dining area.

“Our main concern is our guests and that quality of experience above the food, the amazing food we serve. The design of the building is unique to Mary Brown’s.”

The company, which is based in Markham, Ontario, has 265 locations across the country. It began in 1969 in Newfoundland.

“By the end of the year, I hope to reach 280,” said Dournayan. “We’re targeting about 40 to 50 a year.”

Dournayan said the Wetaskiwin location was a brand new build which opened in June.

“We had the opportunity to build there and the way the cards fell that became our first prototype store. We had a landlord that was willing to work with us. And they built the site up for us based on our drawings. It was a great union. We worked well together. That’s where our first prototype was born,” she said, adding that the plan going forward is to have more stores like this one.

“We have provisions for more of these stores. It’s finding the right location and the right partners and we have prospects to build as many prototypes as we possibly can.”

Dournayan said the location is designed to flow the way the company feels an ideal store should replicate.

“When you walk in, you have a large dining room and then we have focal point of purchase or cash desk area with our digital screens and that’s where our guests walk up and place their order. We also have a full drive-thru system and a patio on the exterior,” she said.

In the back are two lines supplying and producing food – one to accommodate the drive-thru area and one for the interior for guests.

“It follows all of our colour schemes, our brand. It’s a replica of our brand ideal and our colours. We basically have a complimentary colour scheme of the blue and the orange. It’s a play with colours and our design and it just represents that Canadian Mary Brown’s culture that we’re spreading across Canada.”

Earlier this year in a Retail Insider story, the company said it was looking to expand to have 500 locations in Canada and 150 international locations within five years.

The expansion includes the goal of entering the Quebec market within the next two years with the potential of having between 80 to 100 overall. The first locations will most likely be in and around Montreal.

Why Offering Sensory-Friendly Experiences is Good for Retailers in Canada [Op-Ed]

By

Sylvain Charlebois

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July 15, 2024

Many individuals may not fully appreciate the extent to which the world can be excessively noisy, bright, and sensorily aggressive. For most, visiting public spaces like grocery stores or restaurants is a routine experience. While some people seek out intense sensory experiences, with loud music and vibrant lights, for others—such as parents of autistic children, seniors yearning for tranquility while engaging with their community, or anyone desiring a serene environment for daily tasks—the world can seem distinctly unwelcoming.

Recognizing this, an increasing number of retailers, including Walmart, and dining establishments like St-Hubert, are introducing sensory-friendly hours. Similarly, grocers like Sobeys are following suit. During these designated times, wall-mounted televisions display static images, the radio is silenced, and lighting is subdued.

In the realms of marketing and entertainment, the value of calmness is frequently underestimated. This leaves many pondering where they might find environments that cater to their specific needs for comfort and tranquility. As a result, a growing number of people are actively seeking out less sensory-aggressive environments for their shopping and dining experiences.

The modern consumer landscape is characterized by a barrage of sensory input, driven by companies’ relentless efforts to engage their customers. These businesses are adept at identifying, anticipating, and fulfilling customer needs, crafting highly immersive experiences. For example, a grocery store might employ vibrant displays, enticing aromas, and interactive elements, while a restaurant meticulously curates its lighting, music, and décor to enhance the dining ambiance. Such strategies are designed to capture and retain customer attention, fostering a sense of belonging and satisfaction.

However, this intense engagement can lead to sensory overload. With an abundance of stimuli—ranging from colorful advertisements and background music to digital screens and promotional materials—customers can become overwhelmed. The intention to cater to every conceivable need and preference results in environments saturated with information and choices, complicating the decision-making process. While these efforts aim to make customers feel valued and connected, the sheer volume of sensory input can sometimes have the opposite effect, inducing fatigue and decision paralysis. Consequently, the very strategies designed to build loyalty and attention can inadvertently alienate some customers.

Therefore, a shift in the approach to sensory stimuli is welcomed by many. In an era where instant information is the norm, businesses striving to remain competitive often inundate customers with constant updates. However, this can be counterproductive. A growing number of people are rejecting the notion that they must be constantly bombarded with information and sensory input.

Efforts to make food retail and service more inclusive are commendable, benefiting both retailers and food service establishments that can adapt to these needs. In the food industry, diversifying the menu, such as by adding plant-based options, is one approach. Equally important is creating an environment conducive to a diverse range of sensory preferences.

In essence, calm and serenity in public spaces are underrated, but that is slowly changing. This evolution represents a significant step forward, and more businesses should consider adopting such practices where feasible.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For July 15th, 2024

By

Retail Insider

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July 14, 2024

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 three days.

Indigo founder acknowledges ‘tough four years’ for bookstore chain (BNN)

Apple launches Vision Pro in Canada, but $5,000 price tag could make people ‘pause’ (CTV)

Why Dollarama Stock Keeps Going Up (Motley Fool)

LCBO scraps plan for limited store openings as strike persists (Global)

Few Ontario grocery stores sign on to Doug Ford’s booze sale plan (CBC)

Some grocery wine shelves almost empty as ‘panic buying’ ramps up (Toronto Star)

Sale of Edmonton’s long-vacant Army & Navy raises excitement for new life on Whyte Avenue (CBC)

‘It’s crafting nirvana’: This quilt store in downtown St. John’s is bucking a worrisome retail trend (CBC)

Anti-theft initiative ‘should be a permanent fixture,’ Exchange District business owner says (CBC Winnipeg)

Ongoing LCBO strike a strain on Ontario wedding venues during peak season (MSN)

Maitland general store marks 185th birthday, looks ahead to bicentennial (CBC Nova Scotia)

T&T Supermarché and Marché de Nuit Asiatique Join Forces Again for Montreal’s Largest Asian Night Market (Press release)

Tommy’s Express Car Wash to Launch in Canada Next Summer [Interview]

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 14, 2024

OpenShine, a new division of OpenRoad Auto Group, is bringing the first-ever Tommy’s Express Car Wash to Canada with a location to be launched in Brampton next year.

OpenShine hopes to open the brand in the summer of 2025 with more locations to come. Three additional Ontario-based locations are already in the works – St. Thomas, London and Waterloo.

Christian Tjia, Operations Manager, OpenShine, said there is currently nothing quite like the upscale car wash service in Canada that Tommy’s Express Car Wash provides.

“There is a lot of potential, and we can’t wait for customers to get a first look very soon,” he said.

Groundbreaking photo ID: L-R: Ryan Essenburg, President and CIO, Tommy’s Express Car Wash; Christian Tjia, Operations Manager, OpenShine; Alex Lemmen, CEO, Tommy’s Express Car Wash; Moe Saboune, Director, Project Development, OpenRoad Group; Tom Essenburg, Founder and Chairman, Tommy’s Express Car Wash; and Gaurav Manhas, Director, Corporate Affairs and General Consul, OpenRoad Group

Tommy’s Express Car Wash (Image: OpenShine)

With more than 200 locations across the United States, Tommy’s Express Car Wash is known as innovators of the modern-day car wash platform, featuring a free-standing car wash tunnel with record-breaking power and processing ability – creating a smarter, cleaner, and greener car wash experience. It was named #7 on the 2023 Professional Car Wash and Detailing Magazine Top 50 Conveyor Car Washes brands list.

“They’ve got over 50 years of experience in car washes. Back in about 2015, 2016 they started franchising their car washes. They’ve grown to about 200 locations across the United States. So it’s actually one of the fastest growing franchises in the U.S.,” said Tjia. “They have a beautiful product.

“OpenShine is a new group that was created from the overall OpenRoad Group which is a mainly automotive retailer group based in B.C., Ontario and Washington State. OpenShine is a new business that’s been created that’s kind of adjacent to the core business of OpenRoad.

“It’s a complementary business so we can bring our customers a full service from purchasing a car to servicing their car and now finally being able to wash their car in between their dealer visits . . . It’s a new opportunity to bring this new elevated car wash experience that currently isn’t really developed here. The Canadian market is 10 years behind the American market in terms of the offerings for car washes.”

Key Tommy’s Express Car Wash highlights include belt conveyors, free vacuums and mat washers (including a first-to-market moulded mat washer), auto-entry via license plate scanners for monthly club members, and special Detail Kits for additional interior cleaning.

“OpenRoad Auto Group is one of Canada’s leaders in the automotive industry, and we are pleased to partner with OpenShine to launch Tommy’s Express Car Wash in Canada for the very first time,” said Ryan Essenburg, President and CIO of Tommy’s Car Wash Systems. “Car wash technologies have seen vast advancement in development especially with belt conveyors, app-based club memberships, and high volume processing tunnel speed – all of which sets Tommy’s Express Car Wash apart from others.”

Tjia said the company has a number of car washes in the pipeline that should be opening up in the next few years.

The first location will be a 110-foot tunnel.

“Looking into the future, we’re trying to expand as much as possible. As much as the market can support,” he said. “So for example, in London, we’re looking to be at least three to four washes there. Each of our core markets we want to be able to have enough car washes that our customers feel like they’re getting value out of their membership program. If you’re a member of Tommy’s Express you can visit any wash and be able to get the same quality, the same experience, whichever wash you go to.

“We’re really looking to grow throughout all of southern Ontario for now and then in the future we are also looking at expanding further west as well.

“We’re really focused on our customer satisfaction and our customer experience with these car washes. We’re trying to improve from your standard gas station tunnel . . . And I think one thing that makes Tommy’s unique is when we say unlimited washing for our members, we actually mean unlimited washing for our members.”

adidas to Open North America’s 1st ‘Home of Sport’ Flagship Concept in Downtown Vancouver [Exclusive Interview/ Renderings]

By

Dustin Fuhs

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July 14, 2024

969_robson_street_suite_View2 3 (2) — Vancouver adidas at 969 Robson Street (Rendering: Provided)

Earlier this year, adidas announced through a Retail Insider exclusive that the German athletic brand will be opening a massive concept store at the northeast corner of Robson and Burrard Streets in downtown Vancouver.

With the construction hoarding going up earlier this month, we’re able to share what the sportswear giant has been strategically planning behind the scenes for the last three years in preparation for the 35,000 square foot, two level store that will open at the former Victoria’s Secret location at the Robson Central building.

“Vancouver is a very international market, one of the most diverse cities in North America and a true gateway to the Pacific region, so a strong presence in the city just makes sense,” shared Lesley Hawkins, VP of Retail for adidas. “With regards to the building, Robson Central has a long and very meaningful cultural history, from its initial function as the central library, to its time as home to iconic brands/institutions such as Virgin (Canada’s first Megastore), Planet Hollywood, HMV and still to this day Bell Media (CTV).

“The vision behind the project was to strip the heritage building down to its core and let the beauty of the award-winning architectural design shine, exposing the high ceilings and utilizing the natural light. An intent that aligns very well with our Home of Sport concept, rooted in functional simplicity. With elements like the Running Lab and modular fixturing which will allow for community events in the space, we look to bring back the cultural relevance of the building.”

Vancouver adidas at 969 Robson Street (Rendering: Provided)

This move shows adidas’s strong belief in downtown Vancouver, especially after recently expanding and reopening its adidas Originals store on Granville Street.

“The Robson store is the first iteration of the Home of Sport concept in Canada and the US. This concept is rooted in sport and amplified through culture. It represents everything that sport was, is, and could be,” said Hawkins. “Customers can expect to experience the Run Lab, which uses an advanced biometric running analysis to help consumers find the right fit for them. We are also launching the new Made For You customization space on the main level. In addition, an exclusive Made For You VIP room will provide adiClub members further customization and experiential opportunities, as well as a space for local activations.”

Looking ahead, adidas plans to make additional moves in the Canadian market, through partnerships, in-store experiences, further solidifying its presence and innovation in the retail market.

“We continue to evolve our retail footprint with concept upgrades, introduce new experiences, drive community activations, deliver localized products, and drive trends in the marketplace with our performance and lifestyle assortments,” Hawkins explained.

In recent months, adidas has opened and expanded several new stores, including a stunning halo store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and the originals flagship at The Well in downtown Toronto. These stores not only showcase the latest in adidas designs but also offer immersive shopping experiences that reflect the brand’s commitment to innovation and bringing its fans into the middle of the action.

“There were, and to some extent still are, countless learnings from both of those projects. One of the biggest takeaways is the value of our retail spaces serving a purpose to the consumer within the community beyond just a place to purchase products,” said Hawkins. “For instance, the seasonal fashion shows at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, celebrations of key cultural moments at The Well, and our involvement at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run.”

“The new adidas concept store on Robson Street is set to be a game-changer for Vancouver’s retail scene,” Hawkins continued. “Its prime location and impressive size show adidas’s confidence and investment in the city, promising an exciting and dynamic shopping space for everyone. We’ve concentrated our design efforts around experiences that add value to the consumer who enters our doors. We want to capture the imagination of our consumers through the accomplishments they will make while wearing our product and this applies to our athletes as much as our lifestyle consumers. Through our Maker Lab, consumers will have the opportunity to customize a breadth of product with locally inspired graphics.”

Mario Negris and Martin Moriarty of Marcus & Millichap negotiated the lease deal on behalf of adidas. Morguard is the landlord of the building at 969 Robson Street where adidas will be located.

Robson and Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Lee Rivett.

“The move of adidas to the former Victoria’s Secret location on Robson Street is significant,” said Craig Patterson, Founder and Publisher of Retail Insider. “As a journalist I covered the opening of the Victoria’s Secret store in that building over a decade ago when Retail Insider was a young publication, and it was a pleasure earlier this year to announce the new adidas flagship store that will replace it.

“The adidas store will act as a key anchor and traffic generator for the area,” Patterson went on to say. “Given the vast size, product and experiences that will be provided, I predict that the store will be a draw for residents of the Lower Mainland and beyond. I also think it will be a strong co-tenant to Lululemon across the street, as well as the new Arc’teryx store that will be replacing Roots at the northwest corner of Robson and Burrard, and other sporting goods retailers that will be opening nearby including Peak Performance and JD Sports”.

Patterson said that adidas’ choosing downtown Vancouver for such a concept store spelled confidence in downtown Vancouver retailing, which includes new tenants for retail spaces along Robson Street and nearby commercial arteries.

“The redevelopment of the former Nordstrom store nearby at CF Pacific Centre will further invigorate Vancouver’s downtown core, which is seeing a lot of foot traffic right now. Vancouver is one of the few commercially successful downtowns left in North America in terms of retail spending, and it also has a large residential population to support it, which is rare”, Patterson went on to say.

This new downtown Vancouver adidas store will leverage community events to bring together lifelong fans and new customers. It will provide opportunities for the adidas team to utilize skills not traditionally seen in brick-and-mortar retail, such as social media and after-hours events. “The flexibility of the space and fixtures allows it to be very versatile – hosting events, special guests, running clubs, community partners, and celebrating local cultural moments. We will have a full-time Consumer Experience Manager who will be tasked with utilizing the space and tools provided to drive that community engagement,” Hawkins elaborated.

The new adidas concept store on Robson Street is poised to become a significant landmark in Vancouver’s retail landscape. Its strategic location and impressive scale highlight the brand’s confidence and investment in the city, promising a dynamic and engaging space for shoppers.

Adidas will have a number of employment positions available for the Opening Team, including Visual Merchandising, Back of House, and Part Time & Full Time Retail Sales Associates. Interested applicants can visit Careers.Adidas-Group.com for more information.

Front of House manager role: https://jobs.adidas-group.com/job-invite/511232/
Consumer Experience Manager role: https://jobs.adidas-group.com/job-invite/511841/

Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine Concept ‘Tahini’s’ Expanding Rapidly in Canada [Interview]

By

Mario Toneguzzi

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July 14, 2024

Future Tahini's at 175 Bloor Street E (Image: Craig Patterson)

Tahini’s Restaurants, renowned for Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine, has successfully transitioned from a single standalone eatery in London, Ontario, to becoming an industry leader in the culinary scene across Canada, accomplished strategically through its franchising initiatives.

“Our journey has always been about more than just food; It’s about creating an experience that people remember and want to come back to,” said Omar Hamam, Founder and CEO at Tahini’s Restaurants.

“We are thrilled to expand our footprint and assemble a network of dedicated entrepreneurs who are committed to maintaining the experience and quality of Tahini’s.”

The first location opened in 2018 and today it has 45 locations, three of them corporately owned. The latest opening was in Kelowna, B.C.

The total number of corporate and franchise locations is projected to exceed 60 storefronts by year end.

“We’re going for about 40 to 50 stores a year. That’s the numbers we’ll be doing in the next year or two in Canada,” said Hamam. “And within the next 12 months I think we’re opening six locations in the States.

“In Canada we’ve identified 230 locations. But we might not open all of them. So I’d say around 200 locations. The States is a monster. There’s no limit. The States could take like 3,000 locations easy. It’s a completely different animal.”

Hamam said the brand is looking for AAA locations, trying to be in busy plazas, busy intersections, neighbourhoods that are thriving, more high income than low income areas.

In 2018, he was operating another restaurant under a different name for about seven years. He started reading about franchising. It was interesting for him. So we wondered what he could do with that. But he didn’t think the restaurant he had was franchisable. The idea for Tahini’s was born and he opened his first location in the north end of London. It was tough at the beginning because it was a new brand name. The first six months were slow but then business started picking up. That led to a decision to expand and he hasn’t looked back. After he opened his second location, a franchisee wanted to open in Whitby.

He built a commissary under a different name, Alex Food Services, for the products for the restaurants and as a wholesaler. By then, he had opened five Tahini’s locations.

Hamam was approached by Sobeys who wanted him to take some of their commercial kitchens at FreshCo. The first FreshCo location opened in Edmonton and then two more in Calgary.

He said the brand opened 25 locations last year and this year they have opened 26 locations already. In 2025, it will expand by 40 to 50 locations.

“We’re very different from the average. What we do is Mediterranean fusion. It’s not your typical shawarma store. We have a fusion between the Middle East and all other cultures, just like Canada is. Canada is a huge mix of different people. And the way we’ve designed our menu is to be something like that.”

In August 2020, Tahini’s became one of the first restaurant chains to invest 100 per cent of its cash reserves into cryptocurrency.

“This bold move into Bitcoin has been instrumental in aiding our expansion, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring inflation prices,” said Hamam.

“All companies have some cash reserves. We decided to invest it in Bitcoin. Inflation was at all-time high and especially during COVID, it’s a problem when inflation is this high, your money is actually losing value so we decided to put all our cash reserves in Bitcoin. It’s been great. Bitcoin has skyrocketed.”

Custom Sectional Furniture is Close to Becoming a Leader in Furniture Sales

By

Retail Insider

-

July 13, 2024

Sectional sellers are businesses or retailers which specialize in selling sectional sofas. These are large pieces of furniture that are composed of multiple sections, or modules, which can be arranged in a variety of configurations to suit different room layouts and customer requirements. It has long been a trend for furniture buyers to purchase sectional sofas from big name stores like Wayfair and Home Depot.

The trend now appears to be towards the ordering and purchasing of customized sectional sofas from a new type of business that has entered the market like DreamSofa. As a result, the big name stores are losing business.

Furniture Sales Statistics

Wayfair, a popular online home goods concern, revealed a net revenue of $2.7 billion in the first quarter of the year, but this was a drop of 1.6% year-over-year. The only way it could recover from this loss was by reducing its workforce by 13 percent. Similarly, Home Depot also highlighted a 2.3 percent drop in net sales to $36.4 billion for the first quarter of the year.

This is not all that is happening in the sofa furniture market.

There is another trend in sales that’s emerging and that’s the demand for customized sectional sofas like these. This is being led by DreamSofa, a company whose sales are growing at a fast pace. This is a good time for a business to enter the customized sectional sofa market as revenue gained in this industry in the country is projected to reach US$263.20bn this year, with an expected yearly growth rate of 3.82% between 2024 and 2029. The furniture market is also experiencing a flood in demand for the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials which reflects a growth in consumer preferences today.

Living Room Furniture, is forecast to reach a revenue of US$73.08bn in 2024. On a global scale, the United States makes the most revenue from the furniture market, with US$263.20bn in 2024. This adds up to be US$769.90 per person in 2024.

Why Customers Seek Customized Sectional Sofas

The consumer increasingly seeks furniture that reflects their own personal taste and fits perfectly into their living space. Companies like DreamSofa offer customized sectional sofas so that the customer can choose their preferred materials, colors, designs, and any other features that match their home décor preferences. Sectional sofas have established a reputation for their versatility and functionality so that the customer can request customization for a sofa which meets their specific needs.

The growth in e-commerce has made it simpler for a consumer to customize and order sectional sofas online, as retailers provide online tools and virtual room planners that assist the customer to visualize their customized sofa in their home before they go ahead and make a purchase.

With the growing trend of urban living and a smaller living space the consumer is looking for furniture like a customized sectional sofa that maximizes space and can be tailored to fit an exact room dimension and its layouts. An eco-conscious consumer is driving more demand for ethically-made sustainable furniture, so companies which offer customized sectional sofas and other furniture are now focusing on the use of sustainable materials as well.

DreamSofa is a successful furniture business that specializes in custom-made sofas, which includes sectional sofas. They offer several customization options which allow the customer to select what suits their requirements. DreamSofa endeavors to provide high-quality, personalized furniture that meets the specific requirements and preferences of their customers.

Key features of DreamSofa include the following:

Quality materials are offered by DreamSofa to ensure a customized sectional sofa is both durable and comfortable. This typically includes the use of hard wearing frames, the finest fabrics and comfortable cushions.
A customizationservice so that the customer is given the opportunity of designing their sofa by choosing from various options that create a piece that suits their home and lifestyle perfectly. This includes selecting the fabric, color, cushion density, and its configuration such as L- or U-shape.
It provides online tools which allow every customer the opportunity to visualize their customized sofa and decide if it’s right for them.
It often emphasizes its focus on its customer service as it provides support throughout the design and buying process so customer satisfaction is assured.
Each customized sectional sofa is made-to-order and the design is based on the customer’s specifications so that a unique and personalized product is created
DreamSofa prides itself on providing a fast delivery service and may provide an assembly option which ensures convenience for the customer.

DreamSofa has received a significant amount of favorable feedback from customers across various locations in the U.S. Customers praise the company for its exceptional customer service, great quality products, and the ease of customization available for their sofas. Many reviews highlight how helpful the staff is and the overall pleasant shopping experience, which makes DreamSofa a favored choice for many seeking new furniture.

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