Canadian Retailer - Store 2016 - 4

PUBLISHER'S DESK

Innovation takes
centre stage at
STORE 2016
RETAIL is not a one-size-fits-all industry.

It's complex. From the types of customers
that are being served, to the way they're
being served, to the products and services that are being offered, there are often
vast differences in the way every retailer
operates. However, one commonality
that's shared amongst them all is the
need and willingness to create and innovate to continuously improve
the retail experience for their customers, employees and vendor partners.
That creativity and innovation took centre stage at our recent
STORE 2016 conference where the industry celebrated everything
that is great about retail. Leaders of the industry were honoured at
the conference with our Awards of Distinction, while ground-breaking initiatives in ten different categories were recognized at our
annual Excellence in Retailing awards gala (pg. 28). And the best
and brightest in today's grocery aisles were lauded at the Canadian
Grand Prix New Product awards (pg. 44).
STORE is also host of a very special event every year that's close
to my heart. Now in its 21st year, the Retail as a Career Scholarship program (pg. 48) awards students pursuing a career within the
industry to help enable their continued education. The program is
an amazing opportunity for these young, talented people to experience the energy and excitement of retail, and a chance for us to impress upon them the endless possibilities to apply their skills and
education in the industry.
It is essential to showcase the creativity and innovation that's occurring within the industry, and to celebrate it. And, it is equally critical to
recognize the value and importance of retail to the our country's overall economic well-being. Retail, as the largest private sector employer
is the backbone of Canada's economy and a significant contributor to
the fabric of every community from coast to coast. That's why we are
holding a "Retail on the Hill" event-a special two-day event where
Retail Council of Canada, with the support of our members, visit Parliament to engage government on the issues affecting retailers most.
We're excited by the progress that will result because of our "Retail
on the Hill" discussions and look forward to sharing the successful
outcomes with everyone in our next issue.
I hope this special 'Retail Innovation' issue of Canadian Retailer
sparks some ideas for you to continue enhancing your operations
and grow your business.

Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO
Retail Council of Canada
4|

CANADIAN RETAILER | STORE 2016

STOR E 2016 | VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4

publisher

Diane J. Brisebois
a s s o c i at e p u b l i s h e r

Michael LeBlanc

senior director of marketing
a n d c o m m u n i c at i o n s

Branka Stavric

editor-in- chief

Sean C. Tarry
(416) 922-6678, ext. 286
starry@retailcouncil.org
art direction

Scope Media
www.scopemedia.ca
contributors

Stuart Foxman, Willy Kruh, Karl Littler,
Ken Mark, David McPherson, Kyle Murray,
Robert Price, Ted Salter
d i r e c t o r o f p u b l i c at i o n s

Angela Caroyannis
acaroyannis@naylor.com
project manager

Kim Davies
kdavies@naylor.com
sales manager

Bill McDougall
bmcdougall@naylor.com
editorial office

1881 Yonge Street, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario M4S 3C4
Phone: (416) 922-6678 | Fax: (416) 922-8011
www.retailcouncil.org
a d v e r t i s i n g/ p r o d u c t i o n o f f i c e

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Phone: (800) 665-2456 | Fax: (800) 709-5551
www.naylor.com
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