Advertisement

Heyday launches a free chat solution to help small and mid-sized Canadian retailers brave the coronavirus crisis

Date:

Share post:


z1.pngz1.png

Montreal: Heyday—a leading AI-powered chat solution specialized in retail and ecommerce—is taking action amid the crisis. The Canadian AI company is rolling out a free program to help small and mid-sized brick-and-mortar retailers weather the storm.

As consumers desert streets and malls to make ecommerce sites their primary shopping destination, there’s immense operational and financial stress put on local retailers. 

With what the company dubbed their “Retail Relief” program, Heyday will now offer local retailers their entry-level chat solution free of charge for the next three months. The offer includes a free chat widget and messaging app to connect their sales force with online shoppers and enable them to sell remotely. All in a bid to boost e-commerce sales and reduce the impact of the crisis on their bottom line.

Combating the impact of social distancing on commerce 

Heyday’s solution was designed to help brick-and-mortar retailers replicate their in-store experience online. This (virtual) human touch is that much more valuable in our current climate of social distancing and global health emergency restrictions.

“We’re all in this together. The entire economy from top to bottom is being disrupted by the coronavirus crisis. At Heyday, we felt like we had to do our part by offering our technology for free to help retailers repurpose their workforce, save jobs and unlock new sources of revenue online.” says Steve Desjarlais, Heyday’s co-founder & Chief Executive Officer. 

Helping SMBs survive and thrive amid the crisis

Heyday’s retail client roster includes Fortune 500 brands like LVMH, Decathlon, and Danone as well as local Canadian retailers like DAVIDsTEA, Mobilia, TA Appliance, Oberson, and many more.

In this time of crisis, the company wants to democratize a subset of its advanced chat solution by offering it free of charge to small and mid-sized brick-and-mortar retailers who are the most at risk of financial disruption. 

“In this time of uncertainty and volatility, we want to do what we can to support the backbone of our economy: The mom-and-pop shops and local retail store chains who will be hit the hardest by a potential global slowdown,” adds Etienne Mérineau, Heyday’s co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer.

The company’s “Retail Relief” program is available now to all Canadian small and mid-sized retailers. 

Certain conditions may apply. To learn more about the initiative, visit heyday.ai/en/retail-relief

About Heyday

Heyday is a world-leading customer messaging platform for retailers. Our AI-powered hybrid chat solution combines the scalability and efficiency of AI with the expertise and human touch of sales and support teams to deliver a more personalized and delightful online shopping experience. Heyday seamlessly integrates with ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Salesforce, Magento, and Prestashop and messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and Google Business Messaging to help retailers manage all their customer conversations under one roof. High-profile clients include European sportswear giant Decathlon, LVMH-owned beauty icon MAKE UP FOR EVER, Canadian tea store pioneer DAVIDsTEA, French dairy food conglomerate Danone and Canadian telco titan Bell. 

For more information, visit www.heyday.ai

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From Retail Insider

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

MANMADE Opens First Store at CF Carrefour Laval

MANMADE opens its first store at CF Carrefour Laval, marking a shift from DTC as the Montréal brand expands into physical retail.

Frette Opens First Canadian Boutique in Toronto’s Yorkville

Italian luxury linen brand Frette opens its first Canadian boutique in Toronto’s Yorkville with a new experiential retail concept.

Canadian unemployment rate increases in April: Statistics Canada

April marked the second consecutive month of little change after a February decline of 84,000 jobs, Statistics Canada said.

Affordability Is Changing How Canadians Eat Protein

Rising food costs and shifting consumer priorities are driving more Canadians toward flexible eating habits and changing protein consumption patterns.

Leon’s Furniture sees dip in sales in Q1

Q1 Revenue was recorded at $557.2 million, a decrease of 3.8%, driven primarily by timing of delivered sales in the furniture category as compared to Q1 last year, a challenging macro environment and unfavourable weather.

Hatch’d launches National Nursing Week fundraiser for Stollery Children’s Hospital No Bounds Campaign

The initiative is called Fuel the Frontline, and Hatch'd is turning every breakfast order into a contribution to something bigger than a meal.

Mic Mac Mall unveils Happy to Chat seating areas

When a guest sits in these marked seating areas, it indicates to others that the person is open to striking up a conversation.

Charcoal Group to open five new restaurants across Ontario

Charcoal Group, with over 65 years in the hospitality industry, has a group of full-service restaurants across in Southern Ontario.

Warehouse One Collapse Signals Structural Shift in Canadian Apparel Retail

The collapse of Warehouse One and Bootlegger reflects mounting pressure on Canada’s middle-market apparel sector and regional malls.

Loblaw Says ChatGPT Grocery Integration Is Ahead of Plan

Loblaw says customer adoption of its ChatGPT grocery integration is ahead of expectations as the retailer expands AI initiatives.

Daily Synopsis: May 7, 2026

Aritzia's record fiscal results, H&M brings Stella McCartney to Canada, Millarville General Store marks 100 years, Food Basics opens in Grand Bend, Kingston Road Heritage building facade destroyed, and other news.

Aritzia reports Q4 and Fiscal 2026 financial results, record net revenue

"We achieved record net revenue of $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2026, an outstanding 33% increase compared to last year."

RCC Announces 2026 Retail Award Finalists as Couche-Tard CEO Receives Top Honour

Retail Council of Canada reveals 2026 ERA finalists while Couche-Tard CEO Alex Miller earns Distinguished Retailer honour.

Warehouse One and Bootlegger to Liquidate All Stores Under CCAA

Warehouse One and Bootlegger will liquidate all 128 stores across Canada after filing for CCAA protection in Manitoba.

Alibaba.com launches AI-focused pitch competition with more than $1 million in prizes

The updated competition reflects what it described as a shift in global trade toward “agent-to-agent” commerce, where AI systems increasingly handle functions such as sourcing, logistics and operational coordination.

Sonic Boom at 25: Inside a Toronto Record Store’s Survival and Growth

Sonic Boom marks 25 years in Toronto, tracing its survival through music retail decline, vinyl resurgence, and evolving consumer demand.

PIANO PIANO frozen pizza expands to stores across Canada

The expansion builds on existing retail relationships with Ontario grocers including Loblaw’s, Sobeys, Metro, Longo’s and Summerhill Market.

HANK. Reveals First Stores as Retail Veterans Target Menswear Gap

HANK. will open its first Ontario stores in late summer 2026 as veteran retail executives target Canada’s premium menswear gap.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign raises record $23.3 million for local charities

The latest fundraising total brings the campaign’s cumulative amount raised since its launch in 1996 to more than $174 million.

City-run grocery stores not the solution to high food prices: MEI

The grocery sector is well known for its razor-thin profit margins, which hover between three and five per cent.