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First Look: Mandy’s Gourmet Salads Opens at The Well in Downtown Toronto [Photos]

By
Dustin Fuhs
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Mandy's Salads at The Well in Toronto (Image: Mandy's Salads)

Montreal-based Mandy’s Gourmet Salads has opened the doors of its latest restaurant at The Well in downtown Toronto.

Founded in 2004 by sisters Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe, Mandy’s Gourmet Salads has evolved from a humble beginning into a brand with eleven locations, and more on the horizon.

“Our strategy right now is to keep expanding in Ontario, said Mandy and Rebecca in an exclusive interview with Retail Insider. “We figure if we have eight locations in Montreal, we could open that many or more in Toronto! There are so many different neighbourhoods and communities we would love to feed and be a part of here. And following Ontario, we’d love to move west to Vancouver. We feel the demand and there is so much potential there and beyond!” 

Mandy Wolfe, Rebecca Wolfe and Vanessa Fracheboud (Photo: Dustin Fuhs)
Mandy’s Salads at The Well (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Mandy’s Salads at the Well is located on the “Upper Ground” floor, which is in close proximity to the central walkway of the development while also providing streetfront viewing off Wellington.

With this specific unit, the opportunity to animate two separate entrances gave the design team the chance to build out a dedicated Pick Up area.

“As delivery has become such a fundamental part of our business we decided to introduce this new Pick Up feature which combines the operational functionality with the design of our restaurant. Now we can serve this area directly from our kitchen. We also have a separate door where customers can come pick up their orders to ensure they are getting their lunch as quickly and easily as possible. We’re hoping this will allow the dining room to feel less crowded for our in house customers.”

“As we get to know the neighbourhood better we’d love to collaborate with local food partners to highlight seasonal ingredients and bring our usual Montreal flare to Toronto (look out for smoked meat and poutine salads!) our menu now has all of the favorites our customers have come to know and love.”

Brandon Gorman of JLL is handling lease negotiations for Mandy’s Gourmet Salads. 

Retail leasing for The Well is handled by Josh Katz, Assistant Vice President of Leasing, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Alex Edmison, Senior Vice President, CBRE.

Mandy’s Salads at The Well (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Mandy’s Salads at The Well (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

From starting in the back of a women’s clothing store in 2004 to now operating eleven locations, the brand has evolved creatively while maintaining consistency for quality.

“As the company has gained traction, we were allowed to actualize our design and menu dreams by opening up larger locations to accommodate more menu items and more space to design our fantasy restaurants. There’s always been a hyper attention to detail, even from the start when it comes to food quality and overall customer experience. We’ve hoped that those 2 contributing factors have helped propel the brand to be associated with excellence.As we’ve grown we’ve put a lot of time and energy and money into training programs to ensure consistency across all our locations. We’ve also partnered with some amazing suppliers and manufacturers to ensure food consistency is maintained. So whether you’re eating at a Mandy’s in Montreal or in Toronto you can expect the same experience.

“From a design perspective we’ve made sure that all of our locations share commonalities (i.e family wall, textures like marble and tiles, and overall vibe!) But our favourite thing is to innovate. And I (Rebecca Wolfe) love to try new things in each space and whatever is inspiring me at the moment plays a big part in that.”

International design-build firm SAJO built out the space, and has built all new locations since 2017.

The opportunity at The Well for Mandy’s as the brand continues to grow is evident throughout the company.

“This opening marks a significant milestone for Mandy’s, yet it’s just the beginning of our expansion journey,” said Vanessa Fracheboud, President of Mandy’s Gourmet Salads.

“We are driven by a vision to redefine fast-fancy dining, proving that fast can still be fancy, and healthy can still be deliciously beautiful. We are immensely grateful for the warm reception and support from the Toronto community. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion and inspires us to continuously improve and innovate. Thank you for welcoming us with open arms and making us a part of your daily lives.”

Mandy’s Yorkville (Rendering: Mandy’s)

After The Well, the brand shifts focus to its next endeavour in the Toronto market.

“We are definitely looking to open a few more restaurants in Toronto,” said Mandy & Rebecca. “More specifically, this summer we will be opening in Yorkville! Right near Cumberland park.”

“Following Ontario, we’re going to move west, opening a few in the Vancouver region. And you can be sure to see us opening in the US in a couple of years. Miami, LA, and New York are all priorities for us. The dream is to have a Mandy’s all over the globe, Paris and Tokyo are only 2 of the many big cities we want to open in. The possibilities are endless!”

Mandy’s Salads at The Well (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

The new restaurant at The Well, located on the Upper Floor at 437 Wellington, opened its doors on Monday, February 5.

Technology to Fuel Retailer Growth in Canada in 2024 [Video Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Decathlon Markham at CF Markville (Image: Decathlon Canada)

Canadian businesses are shifting from survival to growth mode in 2024 and technology such as Artificial Intelligence and automation is increasingly becoming more important in their operations – from restaurants to retailers to the beauty industry, according to Square’s fourth annual Future of Commerce report.

“Automation and AI are going to be key growth levers for restaurants in the coming year, though not in the way you may think,” said Ming-Tai Huh, General Manager of Square for Restaurants. “The vast majority of restaurants will be integrating AI into their operations in small, iterative ways – not through flashy robots but through automation in marketing or kitchen workflows – and these minor changes will add up to saved time and more profit.”

“For businesses, the future is looking cautiously optimistic, and business owners say they’re looking to grow despite diverging consumer economic sentiment,” said Matthew O’Connor, Head of Verticals and Platform at Square. 

The Future of Commerce Report: 2024 Edition

Some key findings from the report that looked at trends across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia include:

  • 100 per cent of surveyed Canadian restaurateurs say they plan to expand their businesses in the next 12 months through offering new products or opening additional locations, and 80 per cent report feeling more optimistic about the future of their restaurants;
  • Three in four Canadian consumers say they expect to pull back on restaurant spending in 2024;
  • 89 per cent of restaurant owners say they’ll experiment in the coming year with non-core offerings like meal kits, subscriptions, events, and more. Restaurateurs say that right now, 19 per cent of their revenue stems from products and services outside of their core restaurant offerings;
  • Canadian consumers are looking for a tech-forward approach from eateries – 60 per cent are supportive of local restaurants using AI-based tools, and 76 per cent would prefer to place their orders via self-serve kiosks. This bodes well for businesses where staffing is top of mind, as understaffing issues have persisted at restaurants for a reported average of 19 months;
  • All surveyed restaurateurs in Canada believe AI could solve some of their staffing challenges, particularly food prep robots (44 per cent), voice ordering technology (42 per cent), predictive ordering and inventory management (40 per cent), and food prep and delivery management (38 per cent);
  • 56 per cent of surveyed owners plan to increase their spending on technology and automation tools in the next 12 months, and 76 per cent of consumers want restaurants to invest in at least one area of automation when they’re not at full staffing capacity;
  • 61 per cent of Canadian retailers say they’re eager to expand in the coming year – though they are split on whether to prioritize brick and mortar (52 per cent) or online offerings (48 per cent);
  • AI-powered product recommendations is the top priority tool for Canadian retailers of all sizes to implement, especially for those planning to add more online options over the next year (41 per cent);
  • To compete in today’s marketplace, retailers are offering more choice and flexibility to reach new and existing customers – such as by implementing faster and easier communication channels with customers (42 per cent) and providing Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay (41 per cent).
Kelley Keehn

In this video, Kelley Keehn, Founder, Money Wise Workplaces, discusses the findings of the report. She looks at how the AI revolution is reshaping industries and some of the latest innovations influencing the retail and hospitality landscape.

The Video Interview Series by Retail Insider is available on YouTube.

Connect with Mario Toneguzzi, a veteran of the media industry for more than 40 years and named in 2021 a Top Ten Business Journalist in the world and the only Canadian – to learn how you can tell your story, share your message and amplify it to a wide audience. He is Senior News Editor with Retail Insider and owner of Mario Toneguzzi Communications Inc. and can be reached at mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com.

The Video Interview Series by Retail Insider is available on YouTube.

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Let’s Not Forget about Small Businesses in Canada [Op-Ed]

By
Retail Insider
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Image: Home Hardware

Sometimes it is easy to forget about Canada’s small business owners.  They are by definition small in size (1-99 employees) and there are so many of them (1.2 million as of 2021) that we don’t hear them to the same degree as large companies due to the industries fragmentation. Most of what we read about and hear about involve the multi-national brands that span the globe and have a valuation in the billions or even trillions of dollars. But we need to change that. We need to listen carefully to small business and in my opinion, create programs to assist them to remain viable as small business makes up 98% of employers and creates over 60% of jobs in Canada.

If we look back at the last four years small business has been challenged like no other time in recent history. Facing a once-in-a-century pandemic, many were forced to close their doors and pivot to online sales to try and garner as much cash flow as possible. Many small businesses failed to meet government-imposed classification as essential businesses and lost market share to larger firms. Then there was the labour shortage, supply chain issues, massive inflation, then unprecedented increases in interest rates and thus borrowing costs. Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans came due a few weeks ago. Now as customers struggle to navigate a potential soft-landing recession, small business face a tough time competing with larger companies that can sell at lower prices due to scale.

But something happened this week that piqued my interest. Home Hardware launched the new Scotia® Home Hardware PRO Visa Business Card Designed for Small Businesses. Beyond the obvious financial benefit to Home Hardware, I sensed there was something more happening here. They designed a service that made it a lot easier for small businesses (in this case professional contractors) to survive and even thrive. The card has no annual fee, a competitive variable interest rate, a 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases, and credit limits up to $500,000.

The new Scotia® Home Hardware PRO Visa* Business Card Designed for Small Businesses (CNW Group/Home Hardware)

In my opinion, more larger companies need to follow suit. By offering an incentive to small businesses, larger companies enjoy many benefits. These include increased sales and margin dollars, better reputation in the local communities they operate, greater customer loyalty and increased economic development, which creates jobs and leaves would-be customers with more disposable income to spend back in the country. 

Depending on which industry the large company operates in, small business incentives could include product or service discounts, enhanced financing options, business training, hosting networking meetings and even sponsoring local start-up incubator programs to help small business take flight. 

Federal, provincial and municipal governments already offer some of these services but I would suggest there is room for improvement.  A strong small business environment lends well to helping governments increase employment, gross domestic product and the tax base.

As we have witnessed, our economic struggles have meant layoffs and some of those effected will start their own business to make ends meet. We need to challenge ourselves to create new products, services and programs to help these entrepreneurs become and remain successful to ensure a strong Canada. 

What can your company do to set small business up for success?

Bruce Winder

Bruce Winder is a retail analyst, advisor and speaker serving a variety of clients in the retail, services and manufacturing industries. He is the author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19, available on Amazon.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For February 6th, 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 24 hours.

Higher grocery bill? Here’s why some food prices may be rising in Canada (Global)

How grocery stores get shoppers in the door and entice them to spend more (Financial Post)

Manulife to cover specialty drugs at any pharmacy after backlash over Loblaw deal (CTV)

Business insolvencies in 2023 had the largest increase in 36 years: report (BNN)

Downtown record store Grooves expands into Wortley Village (London Free Press)

Gas station giant Parkland Corp. has analysts pumping up profit targets (Yahoo Finance)

SQDC needs better online payment options, says police captain (StratCann)

4 men charged in 8 retail robberies across Toronto (CityNews)

Cadillac Fairview Adding Playdium to CF Fairview Mall in Toronto to Diversify Entertainment Experience [Interviews]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Playdium Brampton (CNW Group/ Cineplex)

Cineplex plans to open its latest Playdium location at CF Fairview Mall in Toronto.

The entertainment and media company says the concept, which will feature mini golf, bowling, interactive games, attractions and fun food options, will open adjacent to the Cineplex Cinemas later this year.

It will be the fourth Playdium and the first one located beside a Cineplex. Other Playdiums are now open in Whitby and Brampton, Ontario, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Ellis Jacob

“We’re combining the best in entertainment and fast-casual dining by opening a Playdium alongside our Cineplex Cinemas at CF Fairview Mall. Family and friends can come together for movies, gaming and delicious food, in a one stop shop for fun,” said Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex.

 “Leveraging our industry-leading expertise in entertainment, amusement gaming and food service, this newly announced Playdium location is sure to become a go-to destination for everyday fun, casual dining and special occasions.”

Playdium Brampton (Image: Playdium)

Kevin Watts, Executive Vice President of Exhibition and Location Based Entertainment for Cineplex, said the first Playdium opened in Brampton in September 2019. The first locations that are open are in free standing buildings located in other retail centres outside of a Cineplex.

“They don’t necessarily need to be attached or beside a theatre,” he said.

“The theatre at Fairview is on the upper level of the mall. The Playdium is right beside it but on the main mall level.

“Playdium is a place for people to come and play as the name would imply. We offer amusement gaming and redemption gaming. And it’s really targeting young adults, teens and families to come and play together and have some fun. We also have a casual food concept that we have there so people can grab a bite, grab a drink, to kind of recharge themselves while they’re playing games. And one of the things Playdiums are really known for are their birthday parties. We do lots and lots of birthday parties. People of all ages. It’s really a place for you to come, have some fun, play against your friends, play with your friends, grab a bite and just have a great day out.”

Watts said Playdiums range in size from about 20,000 to 40,000 square feet depending on the space. The one at Fairview will be about 20,000 square feet.

Image: CF Fairview Mall
CF Fairview Mall Cineplex Pre-Renovation (Image: CF Fairview Mall)

“In addition to a compelling retail mix, a key component of our shopping centre offering is providing engaging and entertaining experiences. We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Cineplex to bring immersive premium entertainment options to CF Fairview Mall,” said Rory MacLeod, Executive Vice President, Operations, Cadillac Fairview.

Daryl Clemance, General Manager at CF Fairview Mall, said building and engaging experiences is really at the heart of the company’s business. 

“It really adds to the overall experience of the property adding another entertainment component that really supports creating these engaging experiences for our customers,” he said.

“Shopping centres continue to evolve and CF Fairview Mall really is the true gathering place for our community. So we’re committed to developing engaging and inspirational programming that supports our community and gives them a reason to choose us in a competitive market. It’s very crucial to be adding this new component to the property.

“There’s so much choice out there right now that you can’t necessarily be everything but you do need to cater to your specific market and CF Fairview Mall has done. We’re certainly adding more entertainment giving people more reasons to come. Food, entertainment as well as an engaging retail mix that they’re looking for.”

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery at CF Fairview Mall in Toronto (Image: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery)

Clemency said recently the Chow Tai Fook jewelry store opened at the mall as did Carter’s Oshkosh. Uniqlo will be opening in the next three to four weeks. Miniso is set to open in the next week or two. There’s also a fairly significant Zara expansion that will take place throughout 2024.

Watts said Cineplex has plans to launch more Playdiums in Canada.

“We are absolutely looking to grow out the Playdium concept across Canada. I think there’s a lot of opportunities and I can’t really get into too much details on the plans but we certainly see lots of opportunities across Canada,” he said.

“People want to get out and do things together in a social environment. We have three of these. We’ve got our Rec Room concept. We operate movie theatres. We just see millions and millions of people are looking to do things every day and so providing them with great concepts, great games, great food, we’re providing the set up for people to come in and socialize, be together. And that’s what we’re really seeing post-pandemic. People want to get back out and do things together. And these are great spaces to do that in.

“It’s a little different than going out to dinner because you’re being active. It’s engaging. It’s a great way to do something together and be active and be competitive.”

Montreal-Based Bakery ‘Au Pain Doré’ Discusses Expansion Plans in Canada and Menu Innovation [Interview]

By
Shelby Hautala
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Au Pain Doré (Image: Groupe Le Duff)

Au Pain Doré, a Montreal based bakery, is looking to secure seven to ten locations this year, is continuously innovating new products, and has the goal of having approximately forty locations within the next five years.

Alexandra Grudkin

Currently the brand has a total of 16 locations, eight in Montreal and eight in Toronto. The next location, and first suburban store, will be opening at Square One Mall in Mississauga with an exterior facing entrance and large patio, where Alexandra Grudkin, franchise development director at Groupe Le Duff, says construction will start in February and will be opening in late May. 

“Au Pain Doré is not just a bakery; it’s a testament to the rich heritage of French culinary excellence blended with the dynamic spirit of Montreal. Since our inception in 1956 and our reinvigoration in 2008, we have embarked on an exciting journey of growth, starting from the heart of Montreal to the bustling streets of Toronto. Our recent expansion reflects not just our passion for quality and tradition, but also our commitment to bringing a unique dining experience to every customer, one neighbourhood at a time,” says Grudkin. 

Expansion Plans 

Au Pain Doré (Image: Groupe Le Duff)

Au Pain Doré has an aggressive expansion plan for this year, including adding four to five new locations in Ontario and two locations in Quebec. These locations will be focusing on both downtown cores and the surrounding areas.  Grudkin says the plan for the next couple of years is to focus on expanding in Montreal and in Ontario markets. 

Within the next five years, Grudkin says Au Pain Doré will hopefully have a total of forty stores across Ontario and Montreal. The brand won’t stop there as after these expansion plans, Grudkin says they are looking to open locations in British Columbia, starting in Vancouver and will be looking into the rest of Canada in the future.

“We are now focusing on downtown Toronto and the immediate GTA for our growth targets, and Montreal as well. That would be the plan for the next two years before we consider moving out West and expanding in British Columbia where we’ve have had quite a bit of demand. With the success of recent openings, we are motivated to accelerate growth, but again, we recently began franchising this brand so it is going to take a bit of time to kick start the expansion.”  

Au Pain Doré Côte-des-Neiges (Image: Au Pain Doré)
Au Pain Doré Bloor Islington Place (Image: Au Pain Doré)
Au Pain Doré 879 Bay Street (Image: Au Pain Doré)
Au Pain Doré Sherway Gardens (Image: Au Pain Doré)
Au Pain Doré Place Ville-Marie (Image: Au Pain Doré)
Au Pain Doré 20 Adelaide Street East (Image: Au Pain Doré)

The targets for the GTA will include Vaughan, Aurora, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Mississauga and Oakville. 

As for what type of locations the brand is looking for, Grudkin says they are looking for a mix of downtown and suburban areas. For downtown, it will be aiming for streetfront corner locations that can attract a mix of daytime work crowds and residential traffic and for spaces from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. As for suburban areas, Grudkin says they will consider larger spaces such as around 2,000 square feet with a preference for patios and close to businesses that will compliment the bakery such as grocery stores. 

Barbara Kless and Greg Rabin of The Behar Group Realty Inc. is representing the brand for its expansion in Toronto/GTA.

Menu Innovations 

Au Pain Doré (Image: Groupe Le Duff)

Although the menu is consistent, Au Pain Doré tailors its offerings to meet the preferences of each province. The brand is committed to keeping the French bakery selections while catering to local needs, ensuring every location will succeed and retail “the unique charm while staying true to its roots.” 

“It is always interesting to bring a Quebec brand into English speaking areas in Canada and vice versa because there are some cultural differences and lifestyle differences. For example, in Montreal, it is normal to stop by the bakery and grab a baguette every single day after work. Whereas in Toronto, it has a different dynamic, but we do see a significant portion of our menu mix being more attributed to obviously our baked goods as well as our coffee. 

Ensuring its menu stays consistent with trends and what customers are looking for, Au Pain Doré is continually innovating its menu. 

“As far as innovation, we are frequently introducing new dessert items, different sandwiches, and salads with in-season ingredients. As well as pushing our coffee program as we have always just been seen as a French bakery. Whereas now, we have a coffee machine that is very sophisticated, we call it the Ferrari of coffee machines as it produces an excellent cup of coffee.”

Au Pain Doré (Image: Groupe Le Duff)

The French bakery originally opened in Montreal in 1956 and was acquired by Groupe Le Duff in 2008. Since then, the group opened its first franchised location in Montreal in 2017,  began franchising in Toronto in late 2022, and will continue to develop the French bakery across Canada. 

“People really love coming into the store to hang out for a while and grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich for lunch. So we have seen success at our flagship location in Toronto, 81 Front Street, and it has been doing exceptionally well so we are looking forward to expanding further.. And we are always innovating and trying to optimise the menu to make sure our franchises are profitable and our customers are happy and recurring.” 

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For February 5th, 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 three days.

Government should boost grocery competition at home, not seek outsider: experts (CP24)

Proposal to take Indigo private would lower scrutiny, boost flexibility: experts (Canadian Press)

Schwartz’s offer for Indigo ‘wholly inadequate,’ analyst says (Financial Post)

Valentine’s Day: Canadians spending more, celebrating less according to new survey (CTV)

Loblaw CEO Per Bank isn’t here to be famous (Globe & Mail / subscriber paywall)

How the downfall of small businesses could lead to a Canadian economic slump (CFRA)

Consumer behaviour for grocery shopping changes rapidly in Canada (Sask Today)

Proposal for northwest corner of Queen and Lee calls for six-storey residential building and new, larger grocery store (Beach Metro News)

Ottawa’s retail vacancy rate hits new low as population grows, development slows: report (Ottawa Business Journal)

Leyad Announces the Acquisition of the North Sydney Mall, Nova Scotia (Yahoo)

All of Loblaw-less Labrador cut out as Manulife makes exclusive deal with retail giant (CBC)

Owner of convenience stores charged with illegally selling tobacco, cannabis products (CBC Winnipeg)

“Exact same” bag sold at Marshalls is $110 more expensive at Winners (Daily Hive)

THEN AND NOW: Essa Rd. spot was grocery store for decades (Barrie Today)

Cadillac Fairview Launches Experiential Activation ‘Mirror Mirror’ in CF Chinook Centre’s Former Nordstrom Space [Interviews/Photos]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

CF Chinook Centre in Calgary has unveiled a new tenant with an innovative sensory exploration experience, taking viewers into a world that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Moment Factory, a Montreal-based international multimedia entertainment studio, powered by Fever, has opened its newest indoor experience, Mirror Mirror, which combines scenography, light, words, original music and interactivity to create a surreal and sensory playground of immersive art that reconnects us to our imagination.

Across nine immersive art installations inspired by memory, imagination, dreams and consciousness, visitors are invited to create their own unique journey. The experience begins by selecting one of three doors, and from there, visitors may explore at their own pace.

Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Moment Factory)
Darren Milne

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Moment Factory to deliver this one-of-a-kind, multimedia experience to guests of CF Chinook Centre,” said Darren Milne, General Manager, CF Chinook Centre. “We’re committed to delivering programs that inspire and entertain guests every time they visit our shopping centre and we’re excited for visitors to experience the magic of Mirror Mirror’s immersive installations.”

Milne said Mirror Mirror is a temporary experience and people are encouraged to buy their tickets early. Cadillac Fairview will continue to evaluate the end date as the experience progresses in some of the former Nordstrom space. 

Installations include Memory Storage, where sharing memories via a mobile device activates a unique choreography of light. A piece of that memory then comes to life in Intelligent Window, an art installation activated by artificial intelligence.

In Forest of Echoes, a labyrinth of mirrors invites guests to confront their sense of self and get lost in a maze of multiplied reflections. With River of Now and Mirrors of Tomorrow, two interactive installations, visitors will either jump across rock-like platforms to conjure color and music or take part in a playful tarot session to discover their destiny.

Jonathan St-Onge

“At Moment Factory, through our various projects, we aim to inspire a sense of collective wonder and connection. We are thrilled to present Mirror Mirror, an original creation from our studio, to Calgary at the CF Chinook Centre. Through multimedia and interactivity, we are happy to offer Calgarians and tourists a new way to connect with each other and art.” said Jonathan St-Onge, Executive director– Signature Experiences, Moment Factory.

Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

At the grand opening of the concept on Friday, Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary, said the city is being recognized across Canada and globally “increasingly as being a hub for artists.”

Jyoti Gondek

“This in no small way is what attracts people to visit here, to relocate their businesses here and to make their home here,” she said. “I’m grateful that Moment Factory chose to set up Mirror Mirror in our city which will no doubt amplify Calgary’s position on the creative economy map.”

She said in a Calgary citizen engagement survey last year 82 per cent of people “believe that a strong arts and culture scene is a really big part of creating a vibrant, safe and prosperous city.”

“The arts matter and installations like this matter equally because they spotlight how creative of a city we are and how much we take the art to heart,” added Gondek.

Andrea Nickel, Senior Director of Experience and Engagement at Cadillac Fairview, said building iconic destinations and unique and entertaining experiences is at the heart of what the company does.

“We are constantly evolving our programming to give guests more and more reasons to visit our shopping centres across Canada. With Moment Factory being a leader in the production of immersive experiences we are thrilled to partner with them to bring a special experience to CF Chinook Centre,” said Nickel. “Mirror Mirror combines light, words, original music and interactivity to create a sensory playground of immersive art that reconnects us to our imagination.

“It is a true reflection of how CF continues to offer memorable experiences that bring Canadians together and deliver entertainment every single time they visit.”

Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Moment Factory)
Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Moment Factory)

Marie Belzil, Creative Director at Moment Factory, said the company is thrilled to open the third edition of Mirror Mirror after successful runs in Montreal and Australia. 

Marie Belzil

“All of our experiences are actually very different from each other but they have one thing in common is that we always try, what we do, is about bringing people together and creating connections in the real world,” she said.

“Our motto is we do it in public so our goal is just to activate collective wonder . . . Mirror Mirror is a journey into a beautiful, colourful world. It’s a little escape from reality.

“It’s also a project that seeks to activate your sense of wonder and exploration. We are hoping that way that we will perhaps wake up the kids that is hidden in all of us.”

Mirror Mirror at CF Chinook Centre (Image: Moment Factory)

Moment Factory is a multimedia studio with a full range of production expertise under one roof. Its team combines specializations in video, lighting, architecture, sound and special effects to create remarkable experiences. Headquartered in Montreal, the studio also has other addresses in Tokyo, Paris, New York City and Singapore. Since its inception in 2001, Moment Factory has created more than 525 unique projects worldwide, including the Lumina Night Walk series. Productions span the globe and include such clients as Changi Airport, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Disney, Arcade Fire, Microsoft, Sony, Boston Museum of Science, Madonna, Cipriani, Universal Studios, the Toronto Zoo and the Reims Cathedral.

Why Food Prices at Grocery Stores in Canada are Rising in February [Op-Ed]

By
Sylvain Charlebois
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Cereal at Farm Boy (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Consumers often assume that price freezes are always in their favour. However, it’s important to recognize that not all price freezes are equal, especially when it comes to products further up the supply chain. Every year, between November 1 and February 1, grocers request suppliers not to increase prices for undisclosed reasons.

This unspoken agreement between grocers and suppliers which likely started decades ago may not ultimately benefit consumers. In October, as suppliers renegotiate contracts with grocers, prices are often adjusted, and many increase just before the three-month price freeze. Now that the “blackout” period has ended, we should anticipate food prices rising again, as even Metro CEO Eric Laflèche himself warned consumers during his recent earnings call. Price hikes are likely to affect non-perishable products, primarily those in the center of the store.

Metro Front Street (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

While high food inflation is certainly a concern for consumers, price volatility can be even more detrimental, and that’s exactly what these blackout periods bring to the market. Sudden spikes in food prices can surprise consumers and force them to temporarily abandon certain food categories, often including healthier options, leading to nutritional compromises. Once consumers perceive a food category as financially out of reach, it takes them a while to return.

François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Innovation and Technology, in his efforts to stabilize food prices in Canada, should be aware of these blackout periods and should target them as market-distorting mechanisms that ultimately harm consumers.

If we examine the past 15 years, according to Statistics Canada, some of the highest month-to-month food price increases occurred either in November or February. The highest month-to-month food price increase in the last 15 years was in November 2008 at 2.5%, followed by February 2011 at 2.2%. Statistics Canada also recorded above-average month-to-month food price increases in November 2016 (1.6%) and November 2022 (1.7%). Despite the seasonality factor, blackout periods don’t shield budget-strapped consumers, as evidenced by increases in January 2016, January 2022, January 2020, and December 2018.

Coincidentally, these three months, January, February, and November, have experienced the highest month-to-month food price increases in the last 30 years, except for May. But we’ll get to that later.

The excuse often cited is that grocers don’t have time to deal with price changes during the busy holiday season. However, this argument may have been valid years ago when grocers manually updated prices on every item. Today, many prices are digital and displayed electronically, raising questions about the need for such blackout periods.

More fundamentally, since these blackout periods are industry-wide, one could argue that this practice could be considered anti-competitive and may lead to price coordination among competitors. Although we still don’t know the precise reasons behind past price-fixing scandals, blackout periods may indicate a broader culture of price-fixing in the industry, to the detriment of consumers.

This issue goes beyond blackout periods. Recently, Loblaw informed its suppliers that their fees will increase once again. In the agri-food sector, suppliers must pay grocers to do business with them. Distribution center charges will rise from 1.17% to 1.22%, and direct-to-store delivery (DSD) charges will increase from 0.36% to 0.38%. While these may seem like minor changes to most of us, they can amount to millions of dollars for suppliers.

Photo: Loblaw Corporation

These yearly unilateral increases, imposed by Loblaw, will take effect on April 28 without any dialogue or negotiation. While major multinationals like PepsiCo, Mondelez, Lactalis, Kraft-Heinz, and Kellogg may adjust their prices to offset higher fees from grocers, many smaller Canadian food manufacturers may struggle financially and even exit the industry. This results in higher prices and reduced competition, which is counterproductive for consumers. Again, coincidentally, May, the one month we should be expecting price hikes from up-the-food conflicts has the second-highest month-to-month average increase in the last 30 years.

To address these issues, we need more discipline and oversight, including the implementation of a mandatory code of conduct to ensure fair practices in the industry. It’s time to put an end to this insanity.

Taking a Look at Recent Turmoil at Indigo as the Retailer Eyes Privatization [Interview with Video]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
Indigo Manulife Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Last week, Indigo Books & Music Inc., confirmed it has received an unsolicited non-binding privatization proposal.

Canada’s leading book and lifestyle retailer announced that the proposal comes from Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc. and Trilogy Investments L.P. controlled by Gerald W. Schwartz, a member of the Indigo Board.

Indigo at The Well (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

The proposal outlines “a potential transaction to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company that Trilogy and its joint actors do not currently own for $2.25 in cash per common share of the Company,” said Indigo.

“Trilogy, together with its joint actors, currently own an aggregate of 16,774,665 common shares of Indigo, representing approximately 60.63 per cent of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”) as of the date hereof,” said Indigo in a statement.

“The Board will review the Proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company. The Board has established a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”) that will evaluate the Proposal and any viable alternatives that may be available to the Company and make recommendations to the Board. The Special Committee will supervise the preparation of a formal valuation by an independent valuator regarding the Proposal.”

Schwartz is spouse of Heather Reisman, Founder and CEO of Indigo, who also sits on the company’s board.

In its last financial results, released November 7, the company reported  total revenue of $206.9 million in the its second quarter for Fiscal Year 2024, compared to revenue of $236.2 million in the same period last year, when the company achieved its highest ever merchandise sales in a second fiscal quarter. 

The second quarter represented the 13-week period ended September 30, 2023 compared to the 13-week period ended October 1, 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was a loss of $13.8 million, compared to a loss of $10.6 million in the prior year. 

Indigo CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

In January, Indigo laid off an unspecified number of staff as part of the retailer’s ongoing efforts to streamline its operations.

Indigo spokeswoman Melissa Perri said in an email to The Canadian Press that the cuts stem from the company’s strategic plan meant to return the business to profitability.

In the past year, the retailer has dealt with a massive cyber attack as well as several executive changes.

In this video interview, George Minakakis, Founder and CEO of the Inception Retail Group, discusses the turmoil around Indigo for the past year and the recent privatization proposal.

The Video Interview Series by Retail Insider is available on YouTube.

Connect with Mario Toneguzzi, a veteran of the media industry for more than 40 years and named in 2021 a Top Ten Business Journalist in the world and the only Canadian – to learn how you can tell your story, share your message and amplify it to a wide audience. He is Senior News Editor with Retail Insider and owner of Mario Toneguzzi Communications Inc. and can be reached at mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com.

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