RETAIL CURRENTS NEWS JOE FRESH GOES GLOBAL It was announced in February that Loblaw Companies Ltd. is preparing to take its Joe Fresh brand of clothing to 25 different countries around the world. The aggressive expansion will include the opening of 120 locations over the course of the next four years, targeting markets in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Korea. Loblaw e-commerce pilot The company has also announced plans to begin experimenting with the expansion of its e-commerce platform. This experimentation will include a test pilot on a "click and collect" option for food and consumables at three of its Toronto stores. This online strategy, which has been gaining popularity in the U.K., allows customers to purchase their items online and then pick them up in the store. CONSUMER STUDY THE TOTAL RETAIL PACKAGE PriceWaterhouse Coopers recently conducted a study of the Canadian consumer and found that regardless of whether shopping online or in-store, it's the "experience" of the journey that plays a crucial role in influencing what people purchase and their reasons for doing so. 42% would start ordering online if their favorite retailer closed down their local store. 87% of Canadian consumers shop online at least once a year. Nearly half (49%) do so on at least a monthly basis. 85% use their mobile devices to compare prices with competitors, 84% to locate the physical store, and 87% to research the products. 44% shop with between two and five retailers. 47% want to be able to quickly check stock in other stores or online while in a store. 28% want to be able to pay without going to the cash register. 53% shop at the U.S. or international counterpart of a retailer that has a Canadian online store because they cannot find the products they want online. 83% say the top reason they choose a retailer is that they trust the brand. 81% because they like the products. 55% of shoppers believe they can find better deals online than instore. 29% have already used a mobile platform to purchase ENGAGING THE SHOWROOMER In a recent report published by Aimia titled Showrooming and the Rise of the Mobile Assisted Shopper, the ways Canadian consumers research product and the reasons why they showroom and compare was analyzed. The report offers six opportunities for retailers to engage the showrooming consumer. 8| 83% Want to receive mobile discounts on product and service 73% Can be enticed to make an in-store purchase if free home delivery is offered 60% Say helpful information online is more likely to secure their in-store purchase 31% Interact with their favourite retailers' social media pages 17% Say that they will not showroom if they receive superior customer service in-store 48% Say that loyalty programs incent them to purchase in-store canadian retailer | spring 2014 | www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailerhttp://www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer