Canadian Retailer - Store 2013 - 46

STORE 2013

STORE 2013: THE EVOLUTION OF RETAIL

Conference offers insights into trends
and developments affecting the industry
and best practices to help your business
grow and succeed.
BY SEAN C. TARRY
THE MOST recent edition of Retail Council of Canada’s

STORE Conference had more layers to the content
and sessions that it offered attendees than ever before
as speakers shared best practices, case studies and insights into the trends that are affecting the industry
today. Target Canada president, Tony Fisher, kicked
off the conference by delivering a keynote session on
the Evolving Retail Landscape; Nordstrom Canada
president, Karen McKibbin, spoke to attendees about

the American company’s plans to serve the Canadian
consumer; and a special Grocery Symposium to discuss today’s consumer trends and how they’re affecting the grocery sector closed out the event.
With so much content delivered it’s impossible for
attendees to take it all in. Canadian Retailer was on
hand and presents the most meaningful takeaways
and useful insights delivered by speakers at this
year’s conference.

Connecting to today’s integrated consumer

During one of the most talked about sessions at
the conference, panelists—Marc Saltzman, journalist and broadcast, technology expert, Erin Green,
country lead—Canada, Etsy, Michael Smyth, vice
president, retail operations Indigo Books & Music
Inc., and Duncan Fulton, senior VP communications and corporate affairs, Canadian Tire Corporation—discussed today’s integrated consumer,
the ways they shop seamlessly across all channels
and how retailers everywhere can optimize their
operations to provide an exceptional experience
for them. And, though the optimized omnichannel
experience involves digital signage, mobile integration, and other strategies, panelists agreed that
one of the most valuable ways to reach today’s consumer is to provide knowledgeable and helpful staff to
bring the experience together in-store. Ensuring personal interaction will help close sales, provide consumers with tangible information about products, benefits and anything else. Staff are also the first and
last line of defense against dreaded showrooming.
Change is the only constant

As the industry continues to change and evolve
as a result of technological developments that improve operational efficiencies and performance, so
too does the consumer, the competitive landscape
and the need to develop the right talent for today’s
retail environment. Andrew Jennings, CEO of Karstadt—Germany’s largest department store —spoke
to attendees of the need to differentiate through

46 |

canadian retailer | store 2013 | www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer

the leveraging of every available channel and
medium. An accomplished executive who has held
senior leadership roles at Saks Fifth Ave and Holt
Renfrew, Jennings challenged Canadian retailers
to “wow” their customers through exceptional service, creativity and originality—the new requirements to stand apart from competitors in the new
retail environment.
http://www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer
Canadian Retailer - Store 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Store 2013
