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Malaysian Reserve
04-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards Announced
Retailers in Canada Raise the Bar Again, Showcasing Bold Innovation and Leadership TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ – In a time of accelerated transformation and rising consumer expectations, retailers in Canada are proving once again that they don't just adapt—they lead. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) proudly announced the 14 winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards (ERA) tonight at the much-anticipated Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, a highlight moment of RCCSTORE25 Conference in Toronto. The gala evening also saw the presentation of three distinguished Awards of Distinction and fourteen Retail Education Scholarships, spotlighting both seasoned leadership and the next generation of retail talent. 'This year's ERA winners exemplify the bold, purpose-driven spirit that defines retail in Canada today,' said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. 'From championing employee well-being to reimagining the in-store experience and investing deeply in sustainability and community, these retailers are setting a global standard for what it means to lead with impact.' 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards winners are: Award Category Winner E-Commerce Experience RONA Environmental Leadership Sobeys Inc. In-Store Experience & Design Indigo Books & Music Inc. In-Store Experience & Design Best Buy Canada In-Store Merchandising Walmart Canada Loss Prevention Pet Valu Canada Omni-Channel Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) Philanthropic Leadership Pattison Food Group Philanthropic Leadership IKEA Canada Pop-Up Experience & Design Sephora Canada Retail Marketing IKEA Canada Retail Marketing Le Groupe Aldo Inc. Supply Chain Innovations Staples Canada Talent Development Purdys Chocolatier Brisebois added: 'I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year's distinguished recipients of the Awards of Distinction: François Roberge from la Vie en Rose and Jenn Harper from Cheekbone Beauty for exceptional achievements, resilient leadership and courageous, forward-thinking strategies. At a time when it might be easier to take a cautious path, these retailers have chosen to lead with vision, integrity, and impact.' This year's Gala also marked a poignant moment of celebration as the industry honoured Diane J. Brisebois for her remarkable 30-year tenure as President & CEO of RCC with an induction into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame. 'Diane's unwavering commitment and tireless leadership have elevated the retail sector to new heights,' said Santo Ligotti, Vice President, Marketing and Membership, Retail Council of Canada. 'Her legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of retail leaders across the country.' Among the fourteen students awarded Retail Education Scholarships, four received additional honours. Alana Tollenaar (sponsored by JRoss Recruiters) Emilio Velazquez (sponsored by RCC) Amaira Bons (sponsored by Browns Shoes) David Medcalfe (sponsored by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.) Learn more about the Excellence in Retail Awards selection criteria, and the Retail Education Scholarship Program. About Retail Council of Canada Retail is Canada's largest private-sector employer with over 2.3 million Canadians working in our industry. This sector is a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee benefits. In 2024, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) exceeded $508 billion. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales and 95 per cent of the grocery market. Our membership extends across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service restaurants. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, RCC, a not-for-profit, industry-funded association, proudly represents retail businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large national chains, in communities nationwide.
Cision Canada
04-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards Announced Français
Retailers in Canada Raise the Bar Again, Showcasing Bold Innovation and Leadership TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - In a time of accelerated transformation and rising consumer expectations, retailers in Canada are proving once again that they don't just adapt—they lead. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) proudly announced the 14 winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards (ERA) tonight at the much-anticipated Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, a highlight moment of RCCSTORE25 Conference in Toronto. The gala evening also saw the presentation of three distinguished Awards of Distinction and fourteen Retail Education Scholarships, spotlighting both seasoned leadership and the next generation of retail talent. "This year's ERA winners exemplify the bold, purpose-driven spirit that defines retail in Canada today," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "From championing employee well-being to reimagining the in-store experience and investing deeply in sustainability and community, these retailers are setting a global standard for what it means to lead with impact." 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards winners are: Brisebois added: "I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year's distinguished recipients of the Awards of Distinction: François Roberge from la Vie en Rose and Jenn Harper from Cheekbone Beauty for exceptional achievements, resilient leadership and courageous, forward-thinking strategies. At a time when it might be easier to take a cautious path, these retailers have chosen to lead with vision, integrity, and impact." This year's Gala also marked a poignant moment of celebration as the industry honoured Diane J. Brisebois for her remarkable 30-year tenure as President & CEO of RCC with an induction into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame. "Diane's unwavering commitment and tireless leadership have elevated the retail sector to new heights," said Santo Ligotti, Vice President, Marketing and Membership, Retail Council of Canada. "Her legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of retail leaders across the country." Among the fourteen students awarded Retail Education Scholarships, four received additional honours. Alana Tollenaar (sponsored by JRoss Recruiters) Emilio Velazquez (sponsored by RCC) Amaira Bons (sponsored by Browns Shoes) David Medcalfe (sponsored by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.) Learn more about the Excellence in Retail Awards selection criteria, and the Retail Education Scholarship Program. Retail is Canada's largest private-sector employer with over 2.3 million Canadians working in our industry. This sector is a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee benefits. In 2024, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) exceeded $508 billion. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales and 95 per cent of the grocery market. Our membership extends across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service restaurants. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, RCC, a not-for-profit, industry-funded association, proudly represents retail businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large national chains, in communities nationwide.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards Announced
Retailers in Canada Raise the Bar Again, Showcasing Bold Innovation and Leadership TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - In a time of accelerated transformation and rising consumer expectations, retailers in Canada are proving once again that they don't just adapt—they lead. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) proudly announced the 14 winners of the 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards (ERA) tonight at the much-anticipated Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, a highlight moment of RCCSTORE25 Conference in Toronto. The gala evening also saw the presentation of three distinguished Awards of Distinction and fourteen Retail Education Scholarships, spotlighting both seasoned leadership and the next generation of retail talent. "This year's ERA winners exemplify the bold, purpose-driven spirit that defines retail in Canada today," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "From championing employee well-being to reimagining the in-store experience and investing deeply in sustainability and community, these retailers are setting a global standard for what it means to lead with impact." 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards winners are: Award Category Winner E-Commerce Experience RONA Environmental Leadership Sobeys Inc. In-Store Experience & Design Indigo Books & Music Inc. In-Store Experience & Design Best Buy Canada In-Store Merchandising Walmart Canada Loss Prevention Pet Valu Canada Omni-Channel Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) Philanthropic Leadership Pattison Food Group Philanthropic Leadership IKEA Canada Pop-Up Experience & Design Sephora Canada Retail Marketing IKEA Canada Retail Marketing Le Groupe Aldo Inc. Supply Chain Innovations Staples Canada Talent Development Purdys Chocolatier Brisebois added: "I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year's distinguished recipients of the Awards of Distinction: François Roberge from la Vie en Rose and Jenn Harper from Cheekbone Beauty for exceptional achievements, resilient leadership and courageous, forward-thinking strategies. At a time when it might be easier to take a cautious path, these retailers have chosen to lead with vision, integrity, and impact." This year's Gala also marked a poignant moment of celebration as the industry honoured Diane J. Brisebois for her remarkable 30-year tenure as President & CEO of RCC with an induction into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame. "Diane's unwavering commitment and tireless leadership have elevated the retail sector to new heights," said Santo Ligotti, Vice President, Marketing and Membership, Retail Council of Canada. "Her legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of retail leaders across the country." Among the fourteen students awarded Retail Education Scholarships, four received additional honours. Alana Tollenaar (sponsored by JRoss Recruiters) Emilio Velazquez (sponsored by RCC) Amaira Bons (sponsored by Browns Shoes) David Medcalfe (sponsored by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.) Learn more about the Excellence in Retail Awards selection criteria, and the Retail Education Scholarship Program. About Retail Council of Canada Retail is Canada's largest private-sector employer with over 2.3 million Canadians working in our industry. This sector is a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee benefits. In 2024, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) exceeded $508 billion. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales and 95 per cent of the grocery market. Our membership extends across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service restaurants. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, RCC, a not-for-profit, industry-funded association, proudly represents retail businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large national chains, in communities nationwide. SOURCE Retail Council of Canada View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Academy Road retailer joins move online from brick, mortar
A Winnipeg retailer has departed Academy Road for its new address: a website URL. Grace & Company shuttered its storefront May 23. On Monday, it launched a revamped website. 'I just decided that sitting in my store for six, seven hours a day and having two or three people come by was not really feasible,' said owner Dorothy Vannan. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS The exit of her shop, and its European labels, follows neighbouring boutique Margot + Maude. The latter business opted for a fully online model — plus pop-up shops — earlier this year. There's been a noticeable segment of small retailers leaving brick-and-mortars behind since the COVID-19 pandemic, industry experts say. Vannan opened Grace & Company at 556 Academy Rd. in 2016. She built the brand over years. Right before the COVID-19 pandemic — 2019 — was 'phenomenal,' Vannan recalled. Upwards of 20 people visited the shop daily, she relayed. Grace & Company started a website, following an industry trend, but only put 10 per cent of its wares online. 'If COVID hadn't happened, who knows where we would be,' she said Tuesday. But the pandemic did happen. So in 2020, Vannan and her daughter built out Grace & Company's website. All the Polish, Ukrainian and Italian imports were listed, the dinnerware to the linens. Sales rolled in as a 'shop local' sentiment persisted. The years succeeding pandemic-era lockdowns have been tougher, Vannan said. 'I had months where it was like literally nobody.' She slashed store hours in 2024 — 'I can't stay open just to have two people in an eight-hour shift' — and watched as the number of online sales continued to outpace in-person transactions. She paid off her pandemic-era loans, but even so, the accounting numbers aren't ideal, Vannan said. She chose not to renew her lease last year. 'This is a positive thing that we've done to save Grace & Company,' Vannan emphasized. 'It's not a pretty reality, but it's not a complaint.' The overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar are gone. Vannan said she believes the next chapter will be 'great.' Anecdotally, both the Retail Council of Canada and Canadian Federation of Independent Business have noticed small shops shifting to fully online platforms amid storefront cost increases. Rent, utilities, property tax, insurance, labour and crime-related losses (such as theft and vandalism) add to the operating bill. Firms like Shopify have made it easier to run an online business. Also, people have grown more comfortable shopping online due to the pandemic, said John Graham, Retail Council of Canada government relations director for the Prairies. 'There's a lot of risk in shifting to online-only,' he said. 'It's very hard to rely on a Google search in an online space where you're competing with … competitors around the world.' Such a business model usually requires a 'substantial increase' in marketing. If a company can attract clients, then running online-only can be a positive change, Graham said. Storefronts are affected by their location and parking set-ups, he added. Leaving a physical boutique for solely website sales has been a learning curve for Regan Greenwood. Her business, Style Bar, exited 470 River Ave. last year. Greenwood estimates her sales are half of what they'd be during a typical spring with a storefront. However, she's been focused on raising her young family. As her children go to school, she'll dive deeper into paid advertising. 'I don't regret my decision,' Greenwood said. 'Mentally and personally, it's been the best decision for me.' Oversaturated spaces online are difficult to stand out in, she noted. But she has friends with physical shops who are struggling. 'Amazon is pretty relentless on these small-business owners,' said Tyler Slobogian, CFIB senior policy analyst for the Prairies and northern Canada. Businesses that cut storefronts often reappear via pop-ups, he added. Grace & Company will likely hold pop-ups and may take a portion of a Corydon boutique next year, Vannan hinted. She'd like to see more people shopping local: 'There's so many local businesses here that are not feeling the love that they should be.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. A 'Buy Canadian' sentiment is still strong, but less so in import-filled retail sectors, Graham noted. He's seen consumers buying discount brands that are cheaper and similar in quality to brand-name competitors. 'It's sad to see … something close,' said Lenny Kerr, manager of Bump Maternity on Academy Road. Kerr watched Margot + Maude exit. (Another business has since moved in.) Bump Maternity hasn't seen a decrease in foot traffic; Kerr attributes it to the customer base. Manitoba experienced a 7.4 per cent increase in overall retail sales, year over year, in March. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
23-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Surge in organized retail crime prompts coordinated response from Calgary police
Article content In response to an uptick in theft and robbery from businesses, the Calgary Police Service is joining forces with the Retail Council of Canada, businesses and security organizations to clamp down on retail crime. Article content Article content The new approach comes after retail theft surpassed $9 billion nationwide in 2024, according to CPS, with organized groups increasingly targeting high-value goods for resale. Article content Article content That recent rise in theft has led to increased security costs for businesses, declining sales and growing concern among frontline retail workers, CPS said in a Friday news release. Article content Article content 'Retail crime may seem like a victimless offence, but it has real consequences for our community,' said Insp. Travis Juska with CPS. 'It affects business owners, employees and our city's overall sense of safety.' Article content CPS has already received approximately 400 calls for service from retail stores this year, the release stated. Of those calls, 142 were in response to theft, while five related to robbery. In addition, CPS has received 3,273 reports through the department's online reporting system. Article content As part of its new collaborative approach with the retail council and security organizations, CPS is sharing intelligence on known offenders and theft patterns; introducing a direct reporting channel between police and security teams; and promoting crime prevention tactics and training to retail businesses. Article content Article content New approach yields seven arrests at Chinook mall Article content Officers from CPS's organized retail crime team conducted a three-day enforcement operation at CF Chinook Centre from May 13 to 15, hoping to identify and apprehend thieves as they struck. Article content As a result of the operation, CPS says five adults and two youths, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were caught and charged in relation to theft. Article content The five apprehended adults include 44-year-old Ross Anthony Swaile, 23-year-old Shannon Erin Lindemann, 21-year-old Kathleen Lucy Big Plume, 34-year-old Benjamin Joseph Dohy and 43-year-old Kevin Bruce Snell. Article content
