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Pet Retailer ‘Mondou’ Expands Urban Store Concept in Montreal [Photos]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
EXTERIOR VIEW OF NEW MONDOU STORE IN VERDUN, MONTREAL. PHOTO: MONDOU

Mondou, a Quebec-based family-run pet store, continues to expand its footprint across the province even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company recently opened its 68th store in the Montreal borough of Verdun with its new neighbourhood store concept. And Mondou will continue to look to expand in the Quebec market.

“Over the years, Mondou has grown and changed, much like its products and services offering, which is now more varied than ever before. Our neighbourhood store concept is another indication of our company’s ability to innovate and meet consumers’ needs,” said Martin Deschênes, the company’s CEO.

“Smaller than our big box stores, these stores help us get closer to the community and our customers by offering essential products in store and a number of services free of charge. Our customers can shop online and then pick up their purchases in store or have them delivered to their home. Following the opening of our new store in Verdun, which has an incredibly vibrant neighbourhood life, we plan to continue rolling out this formula in other Quebec markets.”

MONDOU EXPANDS TO 68 STORES WITH NEWEST LOCATION IN VERDUN, MONTREAL

He said the 2,300-square-foot Verdun store is the second, after the one on Mont-Royal Avenue, to adopt the new neighbourhood store concept.

Mondou offers a broad range of free services for pets, including nail trimming, doggie wash, pet scale, and carry-out services, as well as the sub-zero market offering a vast selection of frozen raw food for cats and dogs – for those not wanting their pet food delivered

CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP OF LOCATION OF NEW MONDOU STORE IN VERDUN

Mondou opened its first store in 1938 and today has more than 900 employees. All the stores are located in Quebec.

Deschênes said the company will continue to expand in the Quebec market.

“Even though we are in the COVID situation we’ve had such a good response from the customers in Quebec with Mondou. They know that we are a family business. That we are in Quebec here for more than 80 years now and we have such a good response that our plan of openings didn’t change,” he said.

“We are pursuing our plan to open new stores. We have other openings coming up.”

When asked if the company sees expansion in the future outside the province of Quebec, Deschênes replied:

“Not on a short-term basis. We still have room to expand here in Quebec. We want to reach our customers first before going somewhere. That’s the plan.”

INTERIOR DECOR IN NEW VERDUN STORE. PHOTO: MONDOU
PRODUCT DISPLAY IN NEW VERDUN STORE. PHOTO: MONDOU
PRODUCT DISPLAY IN NEW VERDUN STORE. PHOTO: MONDOU

He said the number of stores the company will expand to in Quebec is still open.

“We have a lot of opportunities because the Verdun store is that new concept, more related to the community, smaller. That gives us the chance to be in a lot of different markets that we’re not looking at before having that specific model,” said Deschênes.

Even with the smaller footprints the company continues to offer pet services. The typical, larger stores are between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet.

“This is a key for us. If you want to be close to the community you need to offer them not only products but service,” said Deschênes, adding that future company expansion plans will include both formats for large and smaller stores.

“It depends on the population, the area, the market. It really depends on the opportunity that every city can offer for us.

“Because we had a good response from the population and our customers we had a chance to keep all our employees at work. No one was cut because of the COVID and we still are opening stores during the COVID-19. So for us it’s a really good sign that we had such good response from the community and we are very proud and confident it will keep that way.”

LARGER MONDOU LOCATION IN DE LA CONCORDE IN QUEBEC CITY. PHOTO: MONDOU

QUEBEC-BASED MONDOU IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ANIMAL WELFARE INITIATIVES

Mondou has been committed to supporting a number of causes dedicated to animal welfare. In addition to its popular annual campaign Mondou Mondon au profit de la fondation MIRA, which has raised $1.6 million for the foundation over five years, the Quebec company has been organizing the funding campaign Mondou Mondon au profit des refuges for the past three years. The third edition of this campaign, which ended on July 29, raised over $125,000 for animal shelters, for a total of $406,000 over three years.

INTERIOR DECOR IN NEW VERDUN STORE. PHOTO: MONDOU

 

 
 
 
 
 
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[Vidéos] Et c’est un départ! La gang de Mondou roule aujourd’hui avec fierté et bonheur pour la @fondationmira 🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏼❤️🦮 #weekendvelomira #velomira #fondationmira

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‼️ Dès aujourd'hui, afin d'assurer la sécurité de notre clientèle et afin de respecter les règles établies par le gouvernement du Québec, nous vous demandons de porter le masque ou le couvre-visage, tout comme nos employés, lorsque vous visitez l'un de nos magasins. 😷 . Et afin de vous assurer de le porter correctement, voici une petite démonstration, gracieuseté de Jack. 🌈 Son masque sera en vente très bientôt dans tous nos magasins et au Mondou.com . // . ‼️ As of today, in order to ensure the safety of our customers and to comply with the rules established by the Gouvernment du Québec, we ask you to wear a mask or face covering, like our employees, when you visit one of our stores. 😷 . And to make sure you wear it properly, here's a little how-to, courtesy of Jack. 🌈 His mask will be on sale very soon in all our stores and at Mondou.com

A post shared by Mondou (@mondou_calin) on

“As a strong promoter of responsible adoption, and refusing to sell animals in its stores, Mondou partnered with the Montreal SPCA (a long-standing partner) and the SPA Mauricie to launch two adoption zones for cats from rescue shelters at its Saint-Jérôme and Anjou store locations in 2019,” the company said.

"In April 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Mondou also decided to give back to the community by donating $110,000 in products and gift cards to such organizations as Moisson and shelters for abandoned animals in several regions of Quebec. This gesture was an effort to help out pet owners in difficulty and to prevent them from abandoning their pets because of financial constraints.”

Mondou was ranked one of the top 10 on Léger’s WOW index for a third year in a row in 2019. The polling firm assesses customer experience among some 300 Quebec retailers through a survey of over 15,000 people.

For the first time, in March, Mondou was recognized among the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte.

In 2007, Mondou created Mondou Academy — a continuing education program headed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Canadian Retail Sales Start to Crawl Back: Ed Strapagiel

By
Ed Strapagiel
-
Hand of woman holding paper bags enjoy with shopping in the mall.

Although Canadian retail sales are still in bad shape for the most part, there are signs that things are beginning to turn around, according to the latest data from StatsCan. There’s still a long way to go however, and we may never get back to the old pre-pandemic normal.

TOTAL LOCATION-BASED RETAIL SALES YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

In Q2 of 2020, total Canadian retail sales declined 14.5% year-over-year. While this is probably the worst quarter ever, it’s actually not as bad as the previous 3 month average. The above chart shows a rebound in the 3 month average retail sales growth rate (orange line) and a corresponding bounce in the underlying 12 month trend (green line).

Perhaps better still is that retail sales for June alone were up 4.8% versus a year ago on an unadjusted basis. This comes after being down an average of 20.0 % over March to May.

 Food & Drug

FOOD AND DRUG RETAIL SALES YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

The Food & Drug sector actually benefitted from COVID, because these retailers remained open, people were cooking and eating at home more, and shoppers were hoarding. This effect is now starting to cool off. Retail sales in Q2 were up an impressive 7.5% year-over-year, but the 3 month trend (orange line in the chart) now appears to be past its peak. While the underlying 12 month trend (green line) is still rising, it is likely to run out of steam in the coming months.

Supermarkets & other grocery stores had the strongest increase in Q2 2020. Their retail sales were up 14.0% year-over-year. Convenience stores also made a significant gain, up 13.7%.

Health and personal care stores however did not share the bounty. Their retail sales declined 4.3% in Q2. This category includes cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores, opticians, and other retailers which may have been required to close due to the pandemic.

Store Merchandise

STORE MERCHANDISE RETAIL SALES YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

The Store Merchandise sector appears to be much like retail overall. Retail sales were down 12.1% year-over-year in Q2 2020, but the 3 month trend is starting to reverse. In June alone, retail sales moved up 6.4% on an unadjusted basis versus a year ago. With stores and malls reopening, there’s likely to be at least a modest surge in sales as consumers do some catch up shopping, although this should not be seen as a return to business as usual.

General merchandise stores appear to be getting through the pandemic period in relatively good shape. Their sales were up 6.4% in Q2 2020, well ahead of the overall retail average. This group includes combination stores like Costco and Walmart which are also major food retailers, as well as larger operators like Canadian Tire and Hudson's Bay which may have more developed e-commerce capabilities.

On the other hand, clothing and clothing accessories stores are taking a beating, with retail sales down an astounding 57.7% in Q2. Many of these are mall based retailers, but malls were closed to the public. There is a high rate of bankruptcies and store closures in this group.

Other retail types in this sector also experienced huge sales declines in Q2. Home furnishings stores were down 38.2%, and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores were off 23.2%.

AUTOMOTIVE AND RELATED RETAIL SALES YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

As a sign of how bad things are in Automotive & Related, the bottom of the above chart had to be extended to minus 50%. In Q2 2020, sector retail sales were down 31.9% versus a year ago, including a 35.5% decline at gasoline stations and a 34.3% drop in sales at automobile dealers.

There is one light at the end of a long tunnel. In June alone, new car dealers managed a year-over-year sales increase of 5.3%. While this is a modest gain, it's far better than the steep sales declines recorded over March to May. Auto dealers appear to be finding ways to get some business done.

Gasoline station retail sales however continue to trend downward. From $5.5 billion in June 2019, retail sales declined to $4.4 billion in June 2020. That's a lot of loss to absorb.

By The Numbers

Special Note: Statistics Canada revised historical data with the February 2019 release. Unadjusted monthly data were revised back to January 2018, while seasonally adjusted data were revised back to January 2015. Those keeping score should update their files. The analysis in this report is always based on unadjusted data.

CANADIAN RETAIL SALES BY TYPE OF STORE

For definitions of store types, see Statistics Canada NAICS.

Canadian E-Commerce Sales

ECOMMERCE RETAIL SALES YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

To show what's happening in e-commerce, note that the top of the above chart goes up to plus 110%. Canadian e-commerce sales were up 102.3% – double – year-over-year in Q2 2020. This may cool off somewhat once pandemic conditions subside, but it's unlikely that all of it will return to bricks and mortar shopping.

CANADIAN ECOMMERCE RETAIL SALES CHART

Overall, e-commerce represented about 4.5% of Canadian retail sales for the 12 months ending June 2020, including both pure play as well as brick & clicks stores. In June alone, e-commerce's share of total retail was up to 5.5%. Note that Canadian consumers may also buy online from foreign websites which is not captured in these numbers.

Location based retail is the same as that in the preceding "By The Numbers" table. It's what's normally reported as Canadian retail sales. Except that it isn't. Location based retail excludes another section called Non-Store Retailers (NAICS code 454), which includes electronic shopping and mail-order houses, which in turn is where (mostly) pure play e-commerce businesses are. For the 12 months ending June 2020, electronic shopping and mail-order houses had an estimated $17.7 billion in e-commerce sales.

But that's not the only source of e-commerce, as (mostly) bricks & mortar location-based retailers also sell online. For the 12 months ending June 2020, this group had an estimated $10.9 billion in e-commerce sales. With electronic shopping and mail-order houses, there's a grand total of $28.6 billion in e-commerce sales by Canadian operators. Note that this does not include foreign e-commerce purchases made by Canadian consumers, but it does include e-commerce purchases made by foreigners at Canadian operations.

For electronic shopping and mail-order houses, an estimated 89.5% of their sales are allocated to e-commerce. For (mostly) bricks & mortar retailers, it can be estimated that 1.8% of their total sales are attributable to e-commerce.

In the final section of the above table, (mostly) pure play operators (namely, under electronic shopping and mail-order houses) generated an estimated 62.0% of all e-commerce sales in Canada, while (mostly) bricks & mortar location-based retailers' share of e-commerce was 38.0%.

For more explanation on the e-commerce numbers, see Statistics Canada: Retail E-commerce in Canada.

This analysis is updated monthly as new numbers are published by Statistics Canada. If you would like notification of when an update becomes available (and you've read this far), please connect with Ed Strapagiel on LinkedIn.

3 Ways Retailers Can Improve Their Supply Chains to Overcome Crisis

By
Retail Insider
-

By Ralph Tkatchuk

The coronavirus crisis has essentially left no one unscathed. You don’t need to have contracted the disease to feel the effects of the economic crunch brought about by the pandemic. Government-imposed measures limited mobility and forced non-essential businesses in some provinces to close in order to curb the spread of the virus. The situation has certainly taken a toll on the economy. Canada’s GDP fell 11 percent in April alone, due to the drop in consumption and limited commercial activities.

Retail is one of the hardest hit sectors, with sales dropping a record 26.4 percent in April. Supply chain networks also continue to be strained by the limited flow from global manufacturers, the sudden shifts in demand for certain products, and difficulties in fulfillment and logistics.

To cope, businesses must evaluate how they can better manage their own supply chains to ensure that they have the capability to continue doing business and meet customer demand.

Here are three ways retailers can improve their supply chains to help them weather the pandemic.

1. Monitor shipments

Despite the improvements in shipping technologies and processes, supply chains still face the problem of waste. Canadians return 8.6 percent of what they buy, totalling $26 billion in revenue value each year. This figure doesn’t take reverse logistics costs into account, mind you.

Claims on defective and damaged goods account for part of these returned purchases. which are typically caused by deficient quality controls and poor handling. Often, retailers have to absorb the costs of processing these returns. Such expenses typically weigh more during an economic crunch.

Retailers can curb this by implementing shipment monitoring solutions. Logmore, for instance, provides quick response (QR) tags which are equipped with sensors that detect temperature, humidity, ambient light exposure, shock, and scanning location. These can be simply placed on packages, and the tags will automatically record any changes in the shipment’s condition. Information can easily be scanned through the tag’s dynamic QR code using any smartphone and the scanned data is automatically sent to the cloud for their review.

By knowing the state of each shipment in the supply chain, retailers can readily act on any issues in transit or even switch service providers, in cases where certain suppliers and other partners consistently perform poorly.

2. Go local

Many Canadian supply chains rely on cross-border shipments. The pandemic and other recent events have impacted the flow of goods going into the country. China accounts for 13 percent of Canada’s imports, and shipment slowdowns from Asia have put a strain on inventory replenishment and stockpiles of China-sourced goods.

Operations in the Port of Montreal was also recently marred by a labor dispute, which further strained supply chains. The port handles over 40.5 million metric tonnes of products annually, including consumer goods, food and petroleum. Fortunately, parties agreed to a truce that led to the resumption of operations.

In response, there have been calls to lessen the dependence on overseas supply by shifting manufacturing back locally. Retailers can also explore similar strategies by going local. Supplies and logistics are expected to be affected by the limited mobility worldwide for quite a long while, so developing a local network of suppliers now can help guarantee the availability of products for retailers to sell. This can also help stimulate local economies.

3. Streamline or diversify offerings

Retailers must also consider how consumer behaviours are being reshaped by the pandemic. Canadians are spending more on essentials such as groceries and less on fashion and leisure. Even seasonal consumption such as back-to-school shopping has taken a hit.

Given these trends, businesses can review their product lineup and inventory to identify which of their products will be in demand. It may even be wise to either streamline or diversify product offerings in order to better serve their customers. They can also factor in the challenges in supply so that they can anticipate how soon they should be placing restock orders from their suppliers. It is worth mentioning the opportunity provided by a streamlined production like the Kanban supply chain.

By ensuring that they have the right products and ample supply to meet demand, retailers can lock in on their sales.

Ensuring Continuity

Continuity is key to any business’s survival during this pandemic. Retailers should make the effort of improving their supply chains. Efficient supply chains help cut waste and ensure that they have constant a supply of products to meet their demand.

These should result in improving their bottom line despite the coronavirus crunch. As such, they need to partner with dependable suppliers and improve their process so that goods keep flowing in the right quantities, at the right time, and always in the best condition.

Special Edition 17: The Future of Tech at CF Malls

By
Retail Insider
-

An off-schedule podcast discussion with Jose Ribau from EVP Digital & Innovation at Cadillac Fairview. Mr. Ribau discusses Ravel by CF and the technology initiatives underway, including the LiVE by CF app and CF’s recent CF Guest List offering.

Video Podcast:

The Weekly podcast by Retail Insider Canada is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Interview Details: 

  1. Jose Ribau from EVP Digital & Innovation at Cadillac Fairview

  2. Ravel by CF

  3. LiVE by CF

  4. CF Guest List

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

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Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

Canadian Fashion Retailer ARDENE Launches 1st Menswear Line [Photos]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
PHOTO: ARDENE

Fashion retailer Ardene, after more than 40 years catering to a female customer, is launching its first-ever menswear line in select stores across the country as well as online.

ARDENE’S NEW MENSWEAR LINE AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN SELECT STORES ACROSS CANADA

“We’re really excited to be launching our first-ever menswear line. It’s something that we’ve actually had in the works for quite some time,” said Elisabeth Couture, the company’s Creative Director of Brands.

“It’s an introductory collection which really focuses on wardrobe staples and basics. Pretty much the things that we live in every day. Our amazing team of designers took great care in putting together stylish basic needs from quality materials with a special focus to finishing and design details. We really wanted to create pieces that guys would want to wear every day and with a quality that allows them to do so all the while keeping it super accessible.

“Ardene is all about accessibility and that was really one of our driving forces in creating this collection.”

Ardene has just over 400 stores in Canada. For the moment, the collection will be in select stores as well as online.

“We want to make sure that the stores that have the menswear line are able to host the menswear and to merchandise it in a good way,” said Couture.

Will it be expanded to more stores in the future?

“We’ll see what the future holds but if the line does well and we feel that the demand is there, absolutely.”

MALE MODEL WEARING PIECES FROM NEW ARDENE MENSWEAR COLLECTION. PHOTO: ARDENE
  • MALE MODEL WEARING PIECES FROM NEW ARDENE MENSWEAR COLLECTION. PHOTO: ARDENE
  • MALE MODEL WEARING PIECES FROM NEW ARDENE MENSWEAR COLLECTION. PHOTO: ARDENE

ARDENE MAN ETHOS IS “CONSCIOUS AND CONFIDENT. DESIGNED WITH PURPOSE” HIGHLIGHTING SUSTAINABILITY ELEMENT

The Ardene MAN ethos is “Conscious and confident. Designed with purpose.” It reflects what many male shoppers are after: fashion that is both stylish and functional. The collection itself offers basics that customers will want in every colour. Pieces have been designed for casual and everyday looks, and range from classic tees to joggers, denim, hoodies, and sweaters — all from $14.90 to $44.90, said the retailer.

“We’re really all about democratizing fashion. We don’t think that fashion should be exclusive and we think it should really be celebrated by everyone. Attainability has always been super important to us and we’re always looking to make fashion fun, approachable, affordable for our Gen Z customers and beyond,” said Couture.

“I think we really noticed that there was an opportunity in the market for Gen Z that don’t really have the same access to style as girls. And why shouldn’t they? Now more than ever people are really looking for choices that align with their style, their values and their budget. And especially in the Canadian market we felt there was an opportunity for us there.

MALE MODEL WEARING PIECES FROM NEW ARDENE MENSWEAR COLLECTION. PHOTO: ARDENE

“As far as potential barriers to entry, we’re cautiously optimistic. While it’s really our goal for guys to welcome us and adopt into their wardrobe, we realize that they might not embrace us right away being a brand that has been around for 40 years in the womenswear market. But we really look forward to the opportunity to win them over.”

For the time being, the retailer will be merchandising all of the menswear offer together with the rest of the store’s current format to make it an easy shopping experience for the men who choose to shop there. The presentation will be appealing and will be apparent immediately when customers walk into a store that carries the menswear line.

Couture said the company continues to take steps toward sustainability which is an important value for Ardene and its Gen Z customers.

“So it’s really important that we send this way of thinking into our offer for this new community of men as well. As such we’ve included a selection of eco-conscious pieces that feature sustainable fabrics and/or processes,” she added. “And that’s something that we’re really looking to continue with with this line and with our Ardene offer in general.”

*Ardene continues to source pop-up opportunities through 2020. Depending on the market and site, the current size requirement can range from 6,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet.  The stores are all corporately owned, and Dave Azran at Urban Rebel Consulting is handling the real estate search. (Real Estate Representatives: Dave Azran, Urban Rebel Consulting (514-402-0161  dave@urbanrebelconsulting.com)

Physical Stores in Canada to Change Significantly with Adoption of AI and Other Tech: Experts

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
FUTURE OF RETAIL SMART RETAIL ROBOT ASSISTANT

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn will have a long-lasting impact on the way consumers shop and retailers conduct their business.

And the increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, in various ways, will be a major part of the industry’s future.

EXPERT FORECASTS AI TO BE PIVOTAL INVESTMENT FOR LARGE RETAILERS IN POST-COVID WORLD

Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, said all the different technologies are going to play a pivotal role in the continued health of the retail sector in Canada.

“It is going to be, for certainly most of the large retailers, one of the biggest investments they are and will be making in the months and years to come,” she said.

“It’s because of how the pandemic has reshaped the retail sector and consumer shopping behaviour. There’s an incredible growth in e-commerce in Canada. We’ve seen e-commerce grow in four months as quickly as we had anticipated it would grow over a period of 18 to 24 months. That has accelerated the need for retailers to invest in technologies that allow them to better serve their customers in all their channels.

“And it allows them to adapt, specifically in the brick and mortar environment, to a social distancing reality. So those tools are going to be important moving forward and we believe they will be staples as the sector continues to adapt to a new reality.”

EXPERT SAYS GLOBALIZED NATURE OF SUPPLY CHAINS PUT ORGANIZATIONS AT RISK DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Retail expert Doug Stephens, Founder and CEO of Retail Prophet based out of Toronto, said one of the big learnings from this pandemic on the part of retailers has been the degree to which our current iteration of supply chains and the globalized nature of supply chains put organizations at risk.

“The reason for that in large part is because over the last 30 or 40 years global supply chains have really been designed and orchestrated and managed to achieve one outcome and that has really been the lowest possible cost,” he said.

“As a consequence, companies have constructed their supply chains in such a way that in some cases there’s just an inordinate complexity to them. An iPhone for example is made of components from 43 different countries and each case Apple is going out trying to find the lowest cost bidder to provide each of those components.

“What I think the learning is from the pandemic, and from the probability that we’re going to experience future disruptions of this calibre, is that supply chains need to be redesigned not purely around cost but more around the ability to be dynamic, to be flexible and to actually take risk out of the equation.”

To reduce risk, the whole system has to be redesigned. The ordering cycle has to be brought down from months to maybe weeks. Suppliers are needed to be on tap that are able to be resilient and flexible and to make more dynamic decisions based on supply and demand.

“In order to move your supply chain behaviours over to a system that now takes risk out of the equation, puts less capital at stake and is more resilient and dynamic, you need something more than human intuition to do that,” said Stephens. “So that’s where I think the first instance of AI can completely revolutionize our take on how supply chains are managed and dealt with.

“The second piece is around understanding changes that are taking place in the market. In order for me to manage my supply chain properly I need to be informed to an extent that I’m not currently informed as a buyer. I need to have a crystal clear view at any given point in time as to what my consumers are looking for, what they are maybe likely to want in the future — all the stuff that every retailer aspires to know about their customers. Again, that’s where AI and Machine Learning can come into play to really be deciphering all of the structured and unstructured data that companies have at their disposal and even information outside the company that can be distilled into insight but all of that being brought together so that those ordering cycles can be brought down. That companies feel more able in the moment to determine what’s on trend, who are their customers, what do they want, and what should they be putting in front of (customers).”

CUSTOMER INTERFACE PLAYS MAJOR ROLE IN ADOPTION OF AI IN RETAIL

The third major stake around AI is in the customer interface itself. When the consumer comes online or when they walk into a store, retailers can in an instant know who they are, they can understand the customer’s history with the brand, they can get a sense of their tastes and preferences, and they can start to make really cogent recommendations that aren’t just simply based on lagging indicators like what they bought two months ago but are more complex algorithms based on all kinds of different inputs.

In an article written in the Toronto Life publication, Brisebois wrote: “We expect to see more stores install cameras that measure and guarantee compliance with safety distances — if there are too many people in close proximity, these cameras can issue real-time messages to remind them about distancing. The use of robots and other artificial intelligence is one of the most exciting opportunities for retail, offering a chance for store owners to create safe environments for shoppers while also enhancing the visitor experience. More stores will be outfitted with robots that can kill viruses and bacteria with ultraviolet light — they can be used on store merchandise, on packaging, on door handles. Retail owners can also use artificial intelligence to provide personalized product recommendations for customers, a tactic pioneered by Amazon. A touch-free experience will become the norm: new technologies will offer mobile pay-and-go options, where customers can scan a product’s barcode from the retailer’s app using Bluetooth and RFID, then pay with a card or digital cash.

“We’ll see transformed brick-and-mortar stores in the market, especially as click-and-collect becomes the norm. Many existing stores will transform into “dark stores” — traditional retail spaces converted into local fulfillment centres. The stores that remain will offer super-engaging, safely distanced retail experiences.

Stores will appeal to shoppers by offering guest speakers, live podcast recordings and literary readings to build a sense of community. Stores will display select marquee objects, livestream events hosted by staff, and encourage at-home browsing. To supplement the in-store experience, retailers will create virtual showrooms, virtual tours, even virtual fittings. AR, or augmented reality, allows customers to create virtual photographic avatars on a touchless screen to sample makeup shades or try on a pair of pants.”

Lightspeed Launches eCom for Restaurants

By
Retail Insider
-

Lightspeed has announced the release of eCom for Restaurant to help the food and beverage industry adapt to the evolving global regulations when it comes to foodservice.

The new Bon Appetit theme is specifically designed to help Lightspeed Restaurant users seamlessly transition their businesses online and integrate new revenue streams that will lead to long-term growth. 

Lightspeed has also partnered with McGill University and Canada Post to channel this need for reinvention and to re-imagine the hospitality industry in a post-COVID world with the “The Hospitality Innovation Challenge”.

The white paper showcases insights that point to an omnichannel strategy being key for restaurant success as they navigate the new business landscape. Businesses who use Lightspeed Restaurant and implement the Bon Appetit eCom template are better equipped to adapt to re-opening and the continuation of delivery and pick-up services. Restaurateurs will benefit from an easy-to-set up and fully-customizable website that also includes several noteworthy features to help retain meaningful customer relationships and future-proof their business:

  • Display Menu and Unique Offerings for Sale: Publish digital menus that can be integrated with QR codes, showcase artisanal products, offer a curated selection of fresh produce and more
  • Linking to Delivery Platforms: Allows customers to conveniently order ahead online through integrations with key delivery partners such as Uber Eats and Order Ahead 

  • OpenTable Integration: Provides an easy-to-use reservation tool for customers by seamlessly connecting OpenTable to a restaurant’s website 

  • Instagram Integration: Strengthens the online community by sharing inspiration, information and updates through an Instagram feed’s visibility on the website 

“The hospitality industry has been permanently altered by COVID-19 and as a leading technology company, it’s our responsibility to provide solutions that are designed to support the industry during this unprecedented time,” says Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed. “Our eCommerce for Restaurant solution equips restaurateurs with the right tools to establish their online presence and increase revenue, while also providing an online hub for their customers.” 

McGill University, Lightspeed, and Canada Post Partner on the Future of Hospitality 

The new student-driven white paper published by McGill University in partnership with Lightspeed and Canada Post titled “The Hospitality Innovation Challenge,” puts forth tactics restaurateurs should implement in order to future-proof their business, including adapting forward-looking technology and creating an omnichannel experience. 

In “The Hospitality Innovation Challenge,” 80 teams of undergraduate and MBA students from 20 universities across Canada were invited to ideate actionable solutions to assist real businesses in finding a path to profitability as consumer behaviours continue to change. Co-commissioned by enterprise and academia, the study sought to rethink the food sector for a post-pandemic world, revealing that the best ways for restaurateurs to pave a path to profitability were to expand their digital footprint, foster stronger customer relationships by rebuilding confidence, and stabilize cash flow through multiple revenue streams – most of which will be supported by the technology of Lightspeed’s eCom for Restaurant solution. 

The full white paper can be viewed here.

For more information, please visit: www.lightspeedhq.com

On social media: Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter

*Partner content. To work with Retail Insider, email: craig@retail-insider.com

T&T Supermarkets Plans More Locations Amid Expansion: CEO Interview

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
RENDERING OF T&T SUPERMARKET AT WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE. RENDERING: WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE

T&T Supermarkets continues to expand its footprint in Canada despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

WILLOWBROOK AND DEERFOOT MEADOWS SET TO HOUSE T&T’S NEWEST LOCATIONS

The largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada plans to open a new store this winter at Deerfoot Meadows in Calgary and another new store in mid 2021 in Langley, B.C. in the Willowbrook Shopping Centre, moving into an old Toys R Us space.

The company, which currently has 26 locations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, plans further expansion in the future.

“Certainly these two stores are not the end of the story,” said Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets. “We have been aggressively growing prior to these stores and we will continue to look for new opportunities. Pre-COVID we opened four stores within 12 months and we definitely were heads down when it came down to managing the business throughout COVID. We continue to be focused on our store expansion plan and there’s definitely still a lot of runway.

RENDERING OF T&T SUPERMARKET AT WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE. RENDERING: WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE
MAP OF WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE. IMAGE: WILLOWBROOK SHOPPING CENTRE

“There’s lots of communities across the country that I can see T&T being successful in the community and would welcome a T&T there. So we’re very much eyes open on opportunities. We certainly invite developers and landlords to reach out to us if they have a potential site. What’s unique about us is that we’re fairly nimble and flexible when it comes to store size but we also have to be very picky. It’s a new world now. We have to be smart about where we are. Like all the traditional site selection criteria still applies to T&T but also we really have to work very closely with our landlords or developers to make sure that it financially works for all parties and that we can bring a safe shopping environment to the communities that we open stores in.”

Lee said the company’s average store is about 40,000 square feet. Its largest is 74,000 square feet — an old Target space and its flagship store — in Richmond, B.C. Accessibility and parking are key considerations as are street visibility and loading.

The company’s first store was in 1993 which was started by Tina’s mother in Burnaby, B.C.

“Today we’re part of the Loblaw family but we still operate it. It was started by my mother and she retired in 2014 and passed on the reins to me,” said Lee.

“She was a new immigrant from Taiwan and it was really hard back in the 90s to do a full shop of Asian groceries in Vancouver. The go to place was Chinatown but you really couldn’t find everything under one roof. You had to go to the butcher shop and then the bakery shop and then the seafood shop. And it was raining all the time in Vancouver with very limited parking. So she said gosh we really need something all under one roof. Wouldn’t that just be great?”

The first store was opened deep in the basement of Metrotown Mall. One month later the second store opened in President Plaza in Richmond, B.C.

CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP

“She gave it a try. She was part-time working, part-time housewife. But it was really something Chinese Canadians needed at the time. Customers gave us a lot of patience to learn the ropes, get it right. I really attribute the success of the business to my mother being a mother and being acutely aware of what customers needed and wanted in solving their daily problems on great food in one clean comfortable great shopping experience,” said Lee.

Both the new Calgary and Langley locations will also offer customers the convenience of online ordering for store pick up, and fresh express delivery to home at www.tntsupermarket.com. Customers can also shop online and have dry groceries shipped to any location in Canada. Together, the two stores will create more than 400 jobs in their communities.

“We are one of the few retailers that are continuing on an aggressive expansion plan,” said Lee.

Canadians to Spend Less Back-to-School Shopping in 2020: Survey

By
Mario Toneguzzi
-
SHOPPING CART OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Canadians will be doing less back-to-school shopping this year than they did a year ago during the traditional period of time each season for this retail sector, according to a survey released this week by the Retail Council of Canada.

But because of the uncertainty regarding remote and in-class learning much of the spending patterns has shifted because consumer behaviour has changed in many cases from what it has been like in the past due to the current circumstances.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING SURVEY SHOWS 4% DROP IN CANADIANS SHOPPING FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The Back-to-School Shopping Survey, conducted by Leger between August 7 to 9, found that the average anticipated spend on back-to-school items this year is $727 versus $919 in 2019. Apparel and sporting goods show the largest decrease in spending across all regions except for Quebec, where consumers are purchasing more school supplies and sporting goods than other regions of the country, it said.

The survey found 41 percent of Canadians shopped for back-to-school in 2019 versus 37 percent anticipating to shop this year.

“The results of this year’s back-to-school spending survey are not surprising,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. “With many regions of the country still struggling with in-person back-to-school guidelines, many parents and students are still unsure of what back-to-school will look like in the fall.

“We anticipate ‘back-to-school’ spending this year will continue to be more spread out throughout the year and follow Canadians’ confidence levels in a return to the ‘new-normal’ that COVID-19 is forcing us all to accommodate.

“The numbers in August are a snapshot in time and they are in fact indicative of the unusual times we live in and the uncertainty around in-class, or in-person, back-to-school and the fact that many students of all ages have been purchasing supplies so that they can continue their classes at home.”

With remote learning introduced in most parts of the country throughout the pandemic (as early as April 2020), many of the purchases that would have been made during the traditional back-to-school shopping period were made earlier in the year. This pattern is especially evident in categories such as furniture, electronics, school supplies, books, and related items, said the report.

“It’s important to note that this survey was done in August and it was about people who had purchased in August and people who were intending to purchase or not. That’s important to note,” said Brisebois.

“What this is saying is that there’s still uncertainty around in-class back-to-school in a lot of regions of the country. In some regions they’ve been specific about the dates, in other regions it’s been a bit of a moving target. That has created uncertainty from a consumer perspective. So some consumers have been holding back until they feel there is in fact certainty.

“The second point that’s important is we have seen consumers purchasing back-to-school related products as of April of this year which is a lot earlier than any other year obviously because the back to school is always July and August. And those who were doing it early it’s usually July with the bulk in August. But because in most provinces the schools were closed as of April 1 and it was at home learning many of the parents and many of the students purchased goods to be able to accommodate that new lifestyle as of April. That also explained the increase in electronic sales, in furniture sales, especially, desks and accessories. In fact, it’s difficult to say if in total less was purchased. We think in fact that by the end of the year those numbers will be greater than they were in 2019 in aggregate. But they have been tracking over a longer period of time.”

Brisebois said consumers are purchasing more when it comes to health-related products. The survey found that consumers will be spending on average $49 in this category this year compared with $28 last year. Of course, that will include things like hand sanitizers and face coverings.

“That continues to be front and centre for all consumers,” she said.

HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES HEAVILY INFLUENCE CANADIANS’ WHEN CHOOSING BACK-TO-SCHOOL RETAILER

The survey found that the majority of Canadians say health and safety protocols are having more of an influence on their decisions on where to purchase back-to-school items this year and back-to-school shoppers are buying more items online this year versus last year.

The percentage of shoppers who had or were planning to spend on apparel/footwear for back-to-school dropped from 78 percent in 2019 to 69 percent in 2020. About half of Canadians say that they have been influenced by free shipping and the ability to buy online and/or pick-up in-store which explains the continued growth of e-commerce, added the report.

Speaking of buying online, if you’ve ever thought why should I pay someone to write my paper, think again. Writing course papers can be a tough job. One, you need to research the topic to ensure it is factually right. Two, it takes more of your study time. To avoid it, having someone write your course papers will help you get quality essays delivered on time while you study for your exams. 

After the traditional back-to-school period is over — and that may last longer than normal this year because of COVID uncertainty in how education will be delivered — the next big event for retailers will be Halloween. And many experts have predicted that COVID will have a profound impact on this annual spending extravaganza as many children will not be trick or treating this year.

Samsung Expands Canadian Retail Operations with 1st Store in Quebec Market [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
-
SAMSUNG STOREFRONT IN A MALL
RENDERING OF NEW QUEBEC SAMSUNG STORE. RENDERING: SAMSUNG

Over the past eight years, South Korea’s Samsung has been expanding its retail presence by opening standalone stores in major Canadian markets. This month the company opened its first storefront in Quebec — its sixth in Canada — and more locations are expected in the coming years.

NEW SAMSUNG SHOWROOMS ARE DESIGNED FOR CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT WITH BRAND IN DEDICATED ‘ECOSYSTEM’

Patricia Heath, Vice-President of Retail Excellence at Samsung Canada, said that the retail showrooms are intended to be places where consumers can engage with the brand in a dedicated ‘ecosystem’. That includes learning about products as well as an opportunity for one-on-one customer support. The retail spaces also act to foster “relationships over transactions” she said, also driving sales to Samsung’s wholesale partners and e-commerce website.

The store expansion began with a location in suburban Vancouver in 2012 and more locations are expected to open in Canada in the coming years. The newest Samsung retail space recently opened at the Montreal Eaton Centre in downtown Montreal, spanning about 2,900 square feet on the main level of the mall between a recently opened Pandora store and a Uniqlo flagship store that will open in October.

NEW SAMSUNG LOCATION FIRST IN CANADA TO FEATURE MODULAR FIXTURES

Ms. Heath explained that the store is the first in Canada to feature modular fixtures as well as an updated design that allows for a cross-merchandising opportunity with Samsung’s Galaxy products showcased. Successful elements from the Montreal store will be rolled-out into other locations.

The Montreal store carries Samsung’s range of products including the all-new Galaxy Note20 Series 5G which the company says are “productivity powerhouses that works like a PC and lets you game like a pro”. Other products carried in the store include an expansive assortment of smartphones, wearables, and tablets.

“The focus is on making sure that our retail spaces are actualizing omni-experiences,” said Ms. Heath. Consumers can order products online and pick them up in the store. Another benefit to the stores are product servicing opportunities including one-on-one support for eduction as well as setting up a device such as a new phone.

  • SAMSUNG TABLET AND PHONE DISPLAY IN NEW STORE. PHOTO: MAXIME FRECHETTE
  • SAMSUNG TABLET AND PHONE DISPLAY IN NEW STORE. PHOTO: MAXIME FRECHETTE

On-site service and trained ‘Galaxy Consultants’ are available to answer questions and provide technical support and repairs for mobile products. Appointment-based shopping is available in order to accommodate shoppers concerned about health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The showroom model is used by other retailers such as Apple, with stores acting as education and service centres while at the same time driving sales online as well as at partner retailers. Dyson, Canada Goose, and other brands are also using physical showrooms to engage with consumers — the physical space helps to create a sense of legitimacy for the brand.

MORE SAMSUNG SHOWROOMS ARE EXPECTED FOR CANADIAN MARKET

More Canadian Samsung stores are expected according to Ms. Heath, though the expansion will be methodical and based on opportunity. The company’s first Canadian retail store, spanning 1,500 square feet, opened in the spring of 2012 at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby. A second store followed in February of 2014, when Samsung opened a 1,900-square-foot unit at CF Richmond Centre, also in suburban Vancouver (which subsequently closed). A 2,200-square-foot West Edmonton Mall store followed in November of 2014, and a 2,535-square-foot CF Sherway Gardens store in Toronto followed in November of 2015. In the fall of 2016, Samsung opened a 3,345-square-foot space at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. In January of 2018, Samsung’s largest retail store in Canada, by far, opened at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto spanning more than 21,000 square feet over two levels.

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