FEATURES CANADIAN RETAILER STORE 2016 THE STORE ISSUE KPMG EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE 16 THE FOCUS ON TODAY'S CONNECTED CONSUMER INTENSIFIES Canadian Retailer and KPMG Canada recently brought together some of Canada's leading retailers to find out how they're innovating to meet expectations and drive growth. STORE 2016: EXCELLENCE IN RETAILING AWARDS 28 TOP OF THE CLASS RCC honoured the country's brightest retail leaders at the 2016 ERA Awards, highlighting all of the creativity and innovation in Canadian retail. Read more about their winning initiatives. STORE 2016: AWARDS OF DISTINCTION 34 CELEBRATING CANADA'S RETAIL LEADERS 16 Louise Wendling, Andrew Lutfy and Rocky Mountain Soap Company received this year's Awards of Distinction at STORE 2016. Read more about their achievements and success. STORE 2016: CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS 44 PAYING TRIBUTE TO CANADA'S BEST NEW GROCERY PRODUCTS Now in its 23rd year, the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards recently recognized the best in Canada's grocery aisles. Find out who came away big winners this year. 28 STORE 2016: GROCERY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN TRADITION, BUT 46 STEEPED ALWAYS CHANGING Paul Higgins Jr. and his brother Michael, co-CEOs of Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, received the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award for a career of brewing innovation. 44 STORE 2016: RETAIL AS A CAREER 48 HONOURING TOMORROW'S RETAIL TALENT TODAY RCC awarded 16 post-secondary students from across Canada cash scholarships to encourage their continued educational pursuits, showcasing retail as a viable career choice. 54 SHOPPING JOURNEY INNOVATION 50 MAKING IT PERSONAL Today's consumer has come to expect innovations aimed at providing more convenience. Retailers are responding by better understanding and engaging with them across the shopping journey. OMNICHANNEL INNOVATION 54 ONLY ONE CHANNEL Retailers know they need to close the divide between digital and physical retailing to improve the customer experience. The way some are doing this is by integrating the two entities. DEPARTMENTS 4 PUBLISHER'S DESK 5 GUEST COLUMN 6 RETAIL CURRENTS 8 INDEPENDENTS' CORNER 10 RETAIL: AT ISSUE 58 ADVERTISERS' INDEX ON THE COVER Photography by Ryan Francoz STORE 2016 | CANADIAN RETAILER | 3