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.
Doug Stephens is recognized as one of the world’s foremost retail industry futurists.
Recently he was a guest speaker at the RCC STORE (Retail Council of Canada) conference where he spoke about Recapturing the Art of Retail in an Era of Technology-driven innovation.
Doug Stephens
“There are a tremendous number of things in the environment that are demanding a retailer’s attention. There’s no secret to say there have been massive societal changes obviously through the pandemic, the whole issue of work, work from home versus work in the office and the affect that has on commuting patterns in businesses, is certainly something to pay attention to,” said the founder of Retail Prophet.
“I think there are new corporate table stakes in terms of issues of diversity and inclusion that companies are now having to sort of wrap their heads around. Technology at the foreground now with AI barely a day, barely an hour, goes by we don’t hear something about AI or robotics.
“So tremendous number of things that are vying for a retailer’s attention but it’s been my experience that the one thing that most retailers, and I would say most businesses, let’s open up to all businesses, face today is the ongoing challenge of number one capturing a customer’s attention, holding it and then hopefully producing a memorable experience that drives disproportionate recall vis a vis their competitors. At the end of the day that’s what retailers want.”
Doug Stephens at RCC STORE 23 (Image: Retail Council of Canada)
And most retailers in fact are falling down when it comes to that.
In this video interview, Stephens discusses how the retail industry has responded and still needs to respond to technology-driven innovation. Has the art of retail changed in this landscape?
Stephens’ intellectual work and thinking has influenced many of the most widely known international retailers, agencies and brands including Walmart, Google, L’Oreal, BMW and LVMH.
Prior to founding the consultancy Retail Prophet, he spent over 20 years in the retail industry, holding senior International leadership roles. Stephens is the author of three internationally bestselling books: Resurrecting Retail: The Future of Business in a Post Pandemic World (2021), Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World (2017) and The Retail Revival: Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism (2013).
He sits on multiple corporate and academic advisory boards.
His unique perspectives on retailing, business, and consumer behavior have been featured in many of the world’s leading publications and media outlets including The New York Times, The BBC, TechCrunch, The Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.
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.
Interviewed this episode:
Doug Stephens
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Artigiano at 429 Howe Street in Vancouver (Image: Lee Rivett)
After completing a recent rebrand of its coffee shop concept, Artigiano is poised for expansion in the Vancouver area and beyond.
“Today we’re very much in the Lower Mainland and we’re pushing our way out into the Valley in the Lower Mainland now quite aggressively,” said Dean Shillington, President of Artigiano. “And we have two locations in Calgary.
Dean Shillington
“I got involved in around 2019. I bought the business outright. The plan was to rebrand the business and to flip the model from a corporately-owned model that was becoming more and more difficult to run from a labour standpoint and we flipped it to a franchise model that we’re on now.
“With that model we have very robust expansion plans. We plan to continue a very aggressive expansion through the Lower Mainland. We’re on the Island now in the Nanaimo BC Ferries Terminal and in Langford. So we’re going to expand on the Island. We’re to expand and start focusing on Alberta and then the plan is to go south.”
Image: ArtigianoImage: Artigiano
The brand has been around since the late 1990s in Vancouver when it was started by a couple of Italian brothers as Caffe Artigiano. A new concept of coffee was introduced to the Lower Mainland with the skills of Latte Art, a new cafe ambiance and a new European style of drinking coffee.
It was an immediate hit with lineups of people wanting to experience the brand.
Today, there are 18 locations with two more openings in the near future. There are also three licensees – two are in local grocery store Stongs and one at a golf course.
Sarah Brown, Senior Vice-President of Artigiano, said the newest locations will open in Langley and then one on Robson Street in Vancouver in front of BC Place where all the sports take place.
Sarah Brown
“As much as the business had its challenges through the 2010 to 2017 period, the business has always been known for having among the best coffee in the space,” said Shillington. “Once we were able to master our system and regroup and recalibrate everything at this point it’s about duplication of a good franchise model and a good training model.
“It’s really easy for us to go and create a formula now that we can go expand and take advantage of that. Where the pitfalls were in the previous owner is they went down East and they tried to go aggressively into Toronto. I lived there for a time. I spent a lot of time there. It’s a very corporate environment, very Starbucks, Tim Hortons, kind of mentality environment and they didn’t go in with anything unique for an offering.
“So rather than do the typical Canadian thing and go East our plan is to stick more with the West Coast vibe and the quality, the art, the craft, the artisan side of our brand and go south which is a little bit more aligned geographically.”
Artigiano at 429 Howe Street in Vancouver (Image: Lee Rivett)Artigiano at 429 Howe Street in Vancouver (Image: Lee Rivett)
Some of the existing locations still have Caffe Artigiano signage but they will be changed as the company is in the process of rebranding select locations, said Brown.
“A lot of businesses in this hospitality space are finding it increasingly challenging for labour,” said Shillington. “And really through the pandemic, it offered us an opportunity to completely reset the model. And as a business trying to expand, just the churning of the labour you typically find in hospitality and coffee made it really difficult to deliver a superior experience consistently among a lot of locations.
“So when you bring in a local partner, our experience is a local partner can go and run one of our cafes significantly better than the dedicated manager which means they can make a lot more money than we can and it creates a more consistent experience. And for us the most important thing is for someone that goes and sees us on the Island or downtown or in Langley they’ll have the consistent experience and want to come more and more.”
Shillington said cafe sizes range depending on the location. The company is considering smaller kiosk locations in high traffic areas such as around transit and office buildings of about 500 square feet. The strike zone for a typical location is between 900 and 1,600 square feet with a big patio component.
caffeartigiano.com
Traditionally with the brand the focus was downtown locations but Shillington said it will now look at not only key downtown locations but also in active communities.
“We’re a high quality option in the coffee space but you need lots of traffic in order to do it. We do love the more marquis locations. One of our best locations is a place called Shipyards in Vancouver where you sit there and you see downtown Vancouver,” said Shillington. “It’s an iconic spot to sit and have a cup of coffee.
“Those are the areas that get us really excited. Otherwise it’s high traffic. It’s around transit, it’s around offices and communities.”
Brown said product development has been part of its strategy in the past couple of years in figuring out what consumers want beyond just coffee – at the right price point.
“We’re doing everything from the traditional pastries that you would see in a cafe, croissant offerings, muffins, and we have a small lunch offering and a pretty great breakfast offering,” she said. “We’re also developing a grab and go program for those folks that need something a little faster. Then we’ve also started licensing some of our locations where it makes sense and where we feel we’re in a market that there’s an appetite for folks who want to come at the end of a work day and have a beverage. We’re offering a very competitive Happy Hour program as well as beer, wine and cocktails in some of our locations.”
The highly anticipated will take place September 27-28 in downtown Toronto.
Over 60 speakers have already been confirmed, 75% of which are new, and over 40 are C-Suite/VP level executives. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to supercharge your omnichannel approach, revolutionize customer experience, harness the power of social commerce, drive personalization, and embrace sustainable business practices.
Register now and get 25% off the current price with code RETINSIDER[]
As with previous years, the conference will be held at the located at 370 King Street West in the city’s downtown core.
A roster of impressive speakers are part of the attraction — eTail is a two day retreat designed to help businesses increase profits with action-packed strategies and connections made with the top mind’s at Canada’s most successful retailers.
Download theto see the completeand inspiring sessions at this year’s eTail Canada Conference.
The agenda for Day One, Wednesday September 27, 2023, focuses on strategies for omni-channel, consumer and logistics. It includes:
-Keynote: Bringing Your Brand Promise And Customer Experience Into Alignment
-Panel Discussion: Strategies And Technologies Helping Retailers Create A Seamless And Personalized Omnichannel Customer Experience.
-Fireside Chat: The Evolution Of Personalization: Approaching A Single View Of Your Customer
-Panel Discussion: Opportunities And Challenges In E-Commerce Logistics And Supply Chain
-Track A: Future of eCommerce
-Track B: Marketing and Digital Advertising Trends
–Peer-to-Peer Roundtables
The agenda for Day Two, Thursday September 28, 2023, includes discussions around proven strategies for success through digital transformations and getting to consumers where they are. It includes:
–Panel Discussion: Strategies And Technologies Helping Retailers Create A Seamless And Personalized Omnichannel Customer Experience
-Fireside Chat: Hacking Customer Loyalty: Proven Strategies And Techniques For Strengthening Customer Relationship And Loyalty
-Fireside Chat: Enhancing Transparency and Building Genuine Relationships with Today’s Value-Oriented Conscience Consumer
-Panel Discussion: Marketplace Growth Hacks: Challenges And Opportunities In Ecommerce Marketplace Management
-Track A: Customer Loyalty & Retention
–Track B: Search & Customer Acquisition
–Fireside Chat: Leveraging Customer Data And Analytics To Inform Digital Transformation Initiatives.
–Peer-to-Peer Roundtables
eTail Canada is a conference not to be missed. Register now and get 25% off the current price with code RETINSIDER
FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Israel-based, Fox Group-owned home goods retailer FOX HOME has launched in Canada with its first storefront recently opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto.
FOX HOME has positioned itself in the Canadian market as a home and lifestyle brand, offering casual home products for kitchen, tabletop, bathroom and home decor. The product line is designed in-house, which allows for “constant innovation, offering fashionable products that are refreshed for every season, adapting to the trends and diverse needs of its customers,” according to the brand.
“We are thrilled to bring FOX HOME to Canada and to offer Canadians a fresh perspective in the realm of lifestyle and home design,” said Talia Porat, CEO and Chief Designer at FOX HOME. “FOX HOME offers innovative and unique homeware products for many rooms in the house, including the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and decorative pieces. We are confident Canadians will fall in love with FOX HOME and have the products be an extension of their homes.”
FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
The 4,000 square-foot retail space was formerly home to outdoor fashion retailer Eddie Bauer, which saw the brand shutter its location at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. The location at CF Fairview Mall was also closed as the brand looked to shift concepts and reposition itself in the Canadian market, under the new ownership of Authentic Brands Group.
Eddie Bauer at CF Toronto Eaton Centre closed in January, with construction hoarding being installed days later to share the new tenant. As part of the research of FOX HOME, Retail Insider was the first to report that FOX HOME had planned on entering Canada, with a confirmed initial eight stores in Ontario.
The first location was announced to be CF Toronto Eaton Centre, followed by June and July openings at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre (which is now officially open), CF Fairview Mall, Square One Shopping Centre and CF Sherway Gardens. The brand will open stores in Vaughan Mills, Upper Canada Mall and Scarborough Town Centre by the end of 2023.
FOX HOME also has a Canadian exclusive e-commerce platform at foxhome.ca.
FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME Canadian Stores (Image: FOX HOME)
FOX HOME was established in 2010 and is part of Tel Aviv-based FOX GROUP, the group responsible for bringing Nike, Mango and Laline into the Canadian market.
Fox Home operates more than 95 stores worldwide, mainly in Israel.
Retail Insider will be following the brand as it continues to expand the FOX HOME brand throughout Ontario and into new markets.
Additional Photos from FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)FOX HOME at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
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.
London Drugs continues to cautiously expand its footprint in Canada with an approach of assessing the market and resetting its cost structure.
The company recently opened its latest new location in the Shawnessy Village Shopping Centre in Calgary and its new renovated and relocated store in Abbotsford, BC, in the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. The Abbotsford Highstreet location will be closing on June 25.
Image: Clint Mahlman
Clint Mahlman, President and Chief Operating Officer of London Drugs, said increasing costs of running a business, particularly government costs, have slowed the process of opening new stores in Canada and renovating stores.
“We’re assessing the market and resetting our cost structure,” he said. “I think if you look at what some of the economists are saying that we’re probably into a good year if not two years of a consumer that is very challenged for a bunch of different reasons depending on which economist you talk to.
London Drugs Shawnessy in Calgary (Image: London Drugs)
“Canada is different than the U.S. because we have a different structure but we’re always tied to the U.S. The U.S. has things like this banking crisis that they’re going through with the regional banks. That’s causing interest rates to be higher than we would otherwise have in Canada. Canada has still, according to some economists, a lot of pent-up savings that have allowed for a slow cushion – a lot of post-pandemic demand travel being a good example where people are still out spending.
“For those reasons, I think the economists are right that we haven’t seen the recession. However, those things don’t mean that discretionary income is being spent in retail overall. When we read the experts’ opinions, we’re probably into a good couple of years of malaise in the economy with customers being very uncertain, having to watch their dollars very carefully and until there’s some certainty of what’s happening with the economy and interest rates they’ll be very cautious on discretionary spending.”
Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs sells to every province and territory in Canada through its online store www.londondrugs.com and has 80 physical stores in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The greatest concentration is in BC followed by Alberta, with five in Saskatchewan and one in Winnipeg.
“E-commerce is an important part of our business. After British Columbia then Alberta, Ontario is our third largest market for e-commerce in Canada. We sell to every province and territory in Canada through our e-commerce,” said Mahlman.
“Shawnessy (in Calgary) is a market we’ve been trying to get into for a very, very long time. We had wanted to get in there about 20 years ago when it was developing and for a bunch of different reasons we didn’t proceed. And as Calgary has shifted and moved and all these different retail nodes, it was always on our radar screen to see if it would come up.”
It is the company’s ninth location in the Calgary area.
London Drugs Airdrie, AB (Image: London Drugs)
He said another relocation of a store is taking place this year in Airdrie, Alberta, just north of Calgary.
“We have another store that’s yet to be announced that will be a net new location in one of our markets,” added Mahlman.
“It’s a very tough retail landscape at this moment and retail just gets tougher all the time with the intensity of the competition. One of the biggest issues facing all retailers right now, not unique to London Drugs, costs are rising faster than we can pass on prices that a customer’s willing to pay. Obviously these inflationary times are really, really challenging for retailers.
“The inflation comes from a number of different avenues. One of the avenues that’s not discussed a lot is the amount of government shift of cost to retailers. It can happen in a number of different ways . . . For retailers that are a very people-intensive business that has a particularly amplifying effect . . . Obviously all governments are struggling with the post-pandemic costs they incurred. So taxes, fees, anything that remotely looks like a government cost is going through the roof.
“This isn’t anything new. So as more and more costs increase and the cost of labour and the availability of labour have been going through, we embarked two years ago on a major initiative, what we call Galileo. And Galileo is to kind of rebuild the infrastructure of the company so we can be much more efficient, reduce our overall cost of operations through investment in technology and automation and artificial intelligence where it applies. And also through that provide better tools for our team to operate. At a high level, that’s been our focus. So our focus hasn’t been on opening a lot of stores, a little bit of renovations. Costs of renovations for the same reasons. We’ve noticed that municipalities throughout Canada have certainly increased their development costs, their building permit costs, the time to get permissions has really lengthened. So for those reasons we’ve slowed down on doing a lot of renovations and new stores because it’s becoming extremely costly.”
KaleMart24, the “Whole Foods Market” of convenience stores, has secured two leases to open its first two stores in September in Montreal.
KaleMart24 is being spearheaded by Oussama (Sam) Saoudi, who is the founder and CEO of Montreal-based Toro Beverages, which revolutionized the energy drink industry by introducing Canada’s first matcha-powered energy drink.
“KaleMart24 is breaking through the mold of c-stores being associated with junk food by offering healthier choices that cater to a mobile savvy younger generation. It is a natural convenience store chain that focuses on providing better-for-you products. It was founded in January 2023 with the vision of offering a convenient shopping experience for health-conscious millennials. The store combines the convenience of a traditional convenience store with the principles of a “Whole Foods Market”, catering to customers who prioritize healthy, natural, organic, and wholesome products,” said Saoudi.
“KaleMart24 offers a wide range of carefully curated products, including select fresh produce, natural and organic snacks, beverages, natural personal care items, pet care items and eco-friendly household products. The store emphasizes transparency and works closely with local and sustainable suppliers to ensure the highest quality standards. With a commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles, KaleMart24 will also provide resources and educational materials online to help customers make informed choices about their purchases.”
He said it was natural to launch KaleMart24 in Montreal because it is the company’s base and it’s a great city. Saoudi listed several reasons why the company is opening its first stores in the city:
1. Health-conscious population: Montreal has a population that values healthy living and embraces natural and organic products. There is a growing trend towards wellness and sustainability, making it an ideal market for a natural convenience store like KaleMart24. The city’s residents are likely to appreciate and support a store that caters to their health-conscious needs;
2. Diverse and multicultural city: Montreal is known for its cultural diversity, attracting residents from various backgrounds. This diversity brings with it a wide range of dietary preferences and health-conscious lifestyles. KaleMart24’s commitment to offering a diverse selection of better-for-you products would resonate with Montreal’s multicultural population;
3. Established local food scene: Montreal boasts a vibrant local food scene with numerous farmers’ markets, organic co-ops, and independent food producers. This creates opportunities for KaleMart24 to establish partnerships with local suppliers and showcase locally sourced products. The store can tap into the city’s existing network of sustainable agriculture and support the local economy;
4. Thriving urban lifestyle: Montreal is a bustling city with a strong urban lifestyle. Convenience is a key factor for individuals living busy lives, and KaleMart24’s concept of a natural convenience store aligns well with the needs of urban dwellers. By providing accessible, healthy options in convenient locations, KaleMart24 can cater to the demands of Montreal’s fast-paced lifestyle;
5. Supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem: Montreal has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with resources, support networks, and incubators that foster the growth of innovative businesses. This ecosystem can provide valuable support and guidance to KaleMart24 during its launch and early stages of operation;
6. Tourist attraction: Montreal is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. By establishing a presence in the city, KaleMart24 can cater not only to local residents but also to health-conscious tourists seeking convenient and wholesome options during their stay; and
7. Environmental consciousness: Montreal places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental initiatives. KaleMart24’s commitment to responsible sourcing, eco-friendly products, and supporting local suppliers aligns with the city’s values and can help build a loyal customer base that appreciates these efforts.
“Considering these factors, launching KaleMart24 in Montreal presents an opportunity to tap into a health-conscious market, leverage the city’s diverse food scene, cater to the urban lifestyle, and align with the values and support of the local community,” said Saoudi.
He said KaleMart24 has signed leases to open its first two stores in September in the Berri-Uqam Metro Station and in the Jarry Metro Station.
“We aim to get to 30 stores by 2025 and to over 250 by 2030,” said Saoudi.
“We analyze the demographics of the area, including population size, income levels, and education levels. Look for locations with a significant population of health-conscious individuals who are likely to appreciate and patronize a natural convenience store. We assess the demand for better-for-you products in the area. Research local consumer preferences and trends, such as the popularity of organic or natural products. Look for areas with a growing interest in healthier lifestyles and a lack of convenient options for purchasing such products.
“We consider the accessibility of the location. Look for areas with high foot traffic, proximity to residential neighborhoods, office complexes, gyms, or universities. Easy access to public transportation facilities is also important to ensure convenience for customers. We evaluate the competitive landscape in the area. Identify existing convenience stores, grocery stores, or health food stores and assess their product offerings and customer base. Look for locations where there is limited direct competition or a gap in the market that KaleMart24 can fill.
“We consider the physical infrastructure of the location. Look for spaces that are suitable for a convenience store layout, with sufficient square footage for product displays, checkout counters, and storage. Also, ensure the availability of utilities, such as water, electricity, and internet connectivity.”
He said the concept of KaleMart24 resonates with consumers for several reasons.
In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards healthier lifestyles, with more individuals seeking natural and organic options KaleMart24 caters specifically to this growing segment of consumers who prioritize better-for-you products. By offering a wide variety of wholesome and nutritious options, the store addresses the increasing demand for healthier alternatives in the convenience store industry.
“Traditional convenience stores often lack healthy options, making it challenging for health-conscious individuals to find suitable products on-the-go. KaleMart24 bridges this gap by combining the convenience of a traditional convenience store with a focus on better-for-you products. This unique approach allows consumers to make healthier choices conveniently, even during busy schedules,” said Saoudi.
“Consumers today are more concerned about the sourcing and production processes behind the products they purchase. KaleMart24 places a strong emphasis on transparency, working closely with local and sustainable suppliers. This commitment to responsible sourcing resonates with consumers who value eco-friendly practices and want to support businesses that align with their values.”
He said KaleMart24 goes beyond just selling products. The online website will provide educational resources and materials to help customers make informed choices about their purchases. This commitment to customer education builds trust and loyalty among consumers, as they appreciate the opportunity to learn and make healthier decisions.
Overall, KaleMart24’s focus on providing better-for-you products, convenience, transparency, and education aligns with the evolving preferences and values of health-conscious consumers, making it a compelling concept in the market, he added.
Think Retail is working with KaleMart to grow the brand.
“The plan is to open several more locations in Montreal throughout 2023 and 2024, while looking to Toronto for further growth. The ideal store size ranges from 750 to 1,250 square feet in high-traffic areas with heavy pedestrian foot traffic, such as near Metro stations, train stations, airports, universities and high streets,” said Tony Flanz, CEO of Montreal-based Think Retail.
In recent years, the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has significantly transformed various industries, and the food industry is no exception. AI’s emergence in the retail and service sectors has brought forth a plethora of opportunities and challenges. As AI algorithms become increasingly sophisticated, they offer food companies the ability to gain valuable insights into consumer behaviour, predict preferences, and even anticipate changes in dietary choices.
One recent study by our Lab gauged the opinions, concerns, and expectations of Canadian consumers regarding the use of predictive analytics and AI within the food industry. By understanding consumer perceptions, we can already gain valuable insights into the ethical, privacy, and social implications associated with AI adoption.
In collaboration with Caddle, a cross-national survey was conducted last month, encompassing a substantial sample of 5,525 respondents. The first part of this survey was to gauge consumer awareness regarding the utilization of AI in various contexts, particularly within the food industry. Additionally, the survey aimed to explore consumer perspectives on the potential impact of AI on the job market, concerns related to privacy, and apprehensions surrounding the misuse of the food industry to harm populations. Results were interesting.
When asked if they are worried about the use of AI in either the grocery industry or food service, while 26.5% are worried about the potential negative impact on jobs, 21.8% are concerned about privacy. Only 16.3% believe it’s a good idea. When asked if they are willing to shop at a grocery store knowing the company uses AI, while 30.2% are comfortable with the concept, 50.2% don’t know how they feel about it. Many remain confused about AI.
When asked about the use of AI for personalized recommendations for groceries or restaurant menu items, 23.4% think it’s a good idea. Other Canadians either think it is not necessary (31.6%), are not sure how they feel about it (28.5%), or are worried about privacy (16.5%).
The survey also looked at whether Canadians think that AI could improve grocery shopping or restaurant experiences. A total of 47.7% believe AI can offer faster checkout times at the grocery store, and 28.5% believe AI can offer a more personalized experience. A total of 28.0% believe AI can provide better product or dish recommendations.
In response to the question, “Will the use of AI in the grocery industry or restaurant sector become more widespread in the future?” the survey revealed that 48.3% of Canadians hold the view that AI will indeed become more prevalent in these sectors. On the other hand, 36.8% expressed uncertainty about the future adoption of AI.
In the survey, participants were asked about their level of trust in companies to use AI ethically within the grocery industry or restaurant sector. The results indicate that 40.3% of respondents expressed a lack of trust in food companies’ ethical use of AI. Interestingly, this figure is nearly twice as high as the 21.9% of Canadians who share the same sentiment towards food companies’ utilization of AI at present.
One of the questions posed in the survey aimed to gauge respondents’ opinions on the potential risks associated with the increasing utilization of AI in the food industry. Specifically, participants were asked whether they believed this growing trend could result in food supplies being exploited as weapons, thereby endangering consumers. Out of the respondents, 27.0% expressed concerns regarding this possibility, while a notable 48.2% admitted to having no clear perspective on the matter.
In essence, most Canadians don’t know what to think of AI, but many fear it. Trust is the essential ingredient for a successful recipe in the food industry’s AI revolution. The report revealed a concerning disparity as the number of Canadians who don’t trust food companies with AI is nearly double those who do. Building trust through ethical practices and transparent use of AI will be vital to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
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.
