Topshelf News for April 2011
INFORMATION, IDEAS & INSIGHTS FOR SHELFSPACE MEMBERS
April 4, 2011
Message from the CEO, Mark Startup
Wait List for LiveSmart BC Small Business Program
Youth Skills BC Workplace Program
Get more traffic to your location
Win a free energy makeover
What’s the difference between SOCAN and Re: Sound
Attention Shelfspace Associate Members
Message from the CEO, Mark Startup
The second quarter poses some interesting challenges for the retail community in BC. With the minimum wage increase, the federal election and the HST referendum on the horizon retailers will have to focus as much time on politics as running the day-to-day operations.
The announcement of increasing minimum wage to $10.25 has had mixed
reviews from our members. If you have visited our blog recently, you will see that reactions have varied from overwhelming support to absolute shock. Retailers who support this announcement already pay their staff well above the minimum wage and feel that the rise is long overdue. Those who are in shock understand that the increase is needed, but did not expect the increases to occur in such rapid succession and are concerned that all staff will expect similar wage adjustments. The unintended consequences will unfold over the course of the next few months.
This comes at a time when retail sales in BC are declining compared to other provinces and retailers are still in recovery mode. Resources are lean as expenses are being kept to a minimum. The first rise of $0.75 is due in May, just as many retailers are hiring part time staff for the tourist season. The youth market fill the majority of these seasonal roles. Will this force retailers to decrease opportunities for summer employment? What is the affect this will have on the level of service loyal customers and tourists will receive?
Wait List for LiveSmart BC Small Business Program
Shelfspace is pleased to announce its participation in the LiveSmart BC Small Business Program. Shelfspace will assist retailers in reducing energy consumption and waste by providing free energy assessments of their locations and coordinating funding for installations saving retailers valuable time, money and energy!
Email
livesmartbc@shelfspace.ca
to get on the wait list for a FREE Energy Assessment
Youth Skills BC Workplace Program
Youth Skills BC Workplace Program offers employers a $2000 hiring incentive (up to 3 employees at $2000 each) to hire eligible youth between the ages of 15 and 29. The program, funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, has been specifically created as easy-to-use for employers and employees.
There is also an additional training allowance, of up to $1000, available should an employer wish to train their new hire through an accredited institution. The program runs until March 2012. To learn more about the program, please visit the YSBC website or call 604-466-1375 ext. 213.
Get more traffic to your location
Many locations struggle to bring in the traffic they hoped for when they were starting out their business. This can be for many reasons, lack of parking, location advertising, signage and many other reasons. But what can you do as an independent retailer? Some of our Alberta members have some suggestions:
Merchant Associations. Joining an association that advocates on your behalf can really pay for itself, by providing the tools, knowledge and training to optimize your business to get more attention from your customers and prospects.
Collaborate with the Landlord. If you are leasing your space, consider talking to your landlord about what they can do to promote you and your neighbors businesses. Double check your lease agreement to see if there is clause that includes advertising or promotion of the location as a whole. Strip malls and shopping centres have advertising budgets and programs already in place.
Co-op Advertising. Talk to your fellow business owners in the same area, maybe there is an opportunity for you to join forces and cross promote or be involved in a larger joint promotion to attract more customers to the location.
Win a free energy makeover
Bring on your flickering fluorescents! Unload your outlets! Confront your energy challenges! Are you a great candidate for an “energy makeover”? If so, BC Hydro wants you.
Right now, small-to-medium sized businesses or non-profits can enter to win an energy efficiency retrofit – value up to $35,000. Entry is easy – answer a few questions about your business, why you’re interested, and any energy conservation activities you’re already doing. You can submit photos and a brief video too.
The Deadline for entry is April 29, 2011. Three finalists will be selected for an online vote, and the energy makeover will take place this summer. The winning company will gain from long-term energy savings – and become the subject of three short online videos that will help share its “makeover” story. Don’t delay – enter to win your energy makeover today. Visit bchydro.com/energyfix for details. Because being Power Smart just makes good business sense!
What’s the difference between SOCAN and Re: Sound
If you like music in your retail location then you are required to pay one or both of these organizations. Keep in mind that there are levels of how these fees work. If music is a essential to get people in the door to experience your store, you will pay considerably higher fees than those retailers that use music as background to set the ambience of the shopping experience. Both are very similar in how the fee structure operates, the main difference is who they compensate for any public performance or use of music.SOCAN collects license fees and distributes royalties to those that publish music such as: composers, authors and publishers. Re:Sound on the other hand represents the creators of music such as artists and recording companies. Visit SOCAN and Re: Sound to find out more.
Attention Shelfspace Associate Members
Check your email next week for a special offer on advertising and a limited offer for your customers.
