Shelfspace - Topshelf News for Aug 2, 2011

Topshelf News for August 2, 2011

INFORMATION, IDEAS & INSIGHTS FOR SHELFSPACE MEMBERS

August 2 , 2011

TOPSHELF NEWS
The New $100 Bill
Shelfspace Staff Member Announcement
LiveSmart Update
Congratulations Dianes Lingerie
BC Hydro Newsletter Out Now
Passion For Retail Survey Winners
HST Ballot Reminder

UPCOMING EVENTS
Passion for Retail 2011
Staffing for Success Webinars

RETAIL WATCH
Top Headlines
Alberta News
British Columbia News

New $100 Bill

Bank of Canada has announced that the new polymer $100 bill will begin circulation in November 2011, followed by the $50 in March 2012 and the $20, $10 and $5 by the end of 2013. The redesigned notes have enhanced security measures, as well as being more environmentally friendly.

Please take note of important features of the new bills:

The film that coats the bills, each made from a single piece of polymer, has a smooth, plastic feel and two clear panels.
The windows feature metallic images as well as hidden numbers, visible when the bill is held up against a light source.
Sir Robert Borden is still featured on the $100 note, and William Lyon Mackenzie King remains on the $50 note. Now both former prime ministers look you straight in the eye.
You'll no longer see the tribute to the famous five of women's suffrage on the $50 bill, nor the discovery-themed miscellany on the back of the old $100.
The new theme is "frontiers," with the $100 bill showcasing medical innovations, and the $50 paying tribute to Arctic research with the CCGS Amundsen .
The BOC states that the polymer in the new notes has a lighter environmental footprint. The bills are 2.5 times more durable than their cotton-based counterparts and can be recycled after they are taken out of circulation.
Security features now include more sophisticated holograms and raised ink on the prime ministers' shoulders, on the biggest number and on the words "Bank of Canada."

Shelfspace Staff Member Announcement

Shelfspace is pleased to welcome the newest addition to the team, Renee Luk, as our Marketing Coordinator starting on July 18, 2011.

Renee will be taking on the marketing and communications for Shelfspace, as well as being your main contact for Retail Connections, our quarterly publication specifically for retail entrepreneurs.

Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Renee has only recently moved to Canada and brings with her an extensive background in communications, marketing planning and events, as well as an international approach to business.

Coming from a family of business owners, Renee has entrepreneurialism in her blood and is looking forward to working closely with all our members. Please take a moment to welcome her and introduce yourself. Renee can be reached at 604-730-5256 or via email at renee@shelfspace.ca

LiveSmart Update

We are working through energy assessments in the Fraser St South Hill BIA area with 9 assesments so far. Anyone in this area should contact our Business Energy Advisor for Retail, Peter Conron (Certified Energy Manager and Lighting Certified), ASAP at peter@shelfspace.ca or 604-730-5250 to be included in the Free Business Energy Audit list in the next week or so. The next area of focus is the Mt Pleasant area.

Association members and future members are welcome with no obligations. On-site time has been averaging about 30-40 minutes in each retail location. Projects have been averaging 2 years or less payback on any net costs above the rebate incentives available. Retail business acceptance to this Shelfspace service has been very good. Further information on the LiveSmart program for Small Business can be sourced from either our own www.RetailSmart.ca or http://www.livesmartbc.ca/green_business/index.html websites. Let us help you manage you energy costs and add profit to your bottom line.

Congratulations Dianes Lingerie!

Dianes Lingerie was nominated for the BEST SHOP AWARDS 2011 by the Best of Intima. They have been shortlisted in the Reference Shop category with the winner being announced at the Best Shop Award ceremony on Sunday July 31st. This contest is in its seventh year and the awards have proved to be a unique opportunity to honor independent specialty stores across North America.

BC Hydro Newsletter

Stay Connected with the BC Hydro Power of Business newsletter! Subscribe today and read about tips on how to reduce energy costs, customer success stories, recent updates from bchydro.com, details about upcoming events & seminars and information about current offers. Subscribe at www.bchydro.com/powerofbusiness

Passion For Retail Winners

Congratulations to Karen Unger-Strickland, Johanna Duprey and Miles Wishlow! You have each won a free pass to Passion For Retail on October 3^rd. Thank you to all who completed the survey, see our Events section for more information on the upcoming Passion For Retail.

HST Ballot Reminder

A reminder that Ballot packages must be received by Elections BC, a Service BC Centre, or an Elections BC Collection Centre before 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2011. Locations to deliver ballot packages are listed on the Elections BC website . The yellow return envelope is postage paid – no stamp is required if mailed in Canada.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Passion for Retail, Monday 3rd October - Registrations Open Soon!

Since 1987, Shelfspace has organized an annual conference for retailers and retailer industry suppliers. This is the only retail event in Western Canada dedicated to bringing the community together to celebrate, support and share their passion through education in the art and science of retail.

This year, Passion for Retail is co-presented with the Retail Council of Canada to bring the retail community together. The 2011 conference will explore and discuss the latest trends, successes and challenges affecting retail and will arm participants with the knowledge to continually achieve retail excellence.

This year’s theme will be Do they like you? New Models of Customer Engagement and will cover four main topics:

· Increasing Customer Engagement

· Retaining and Motivating Staff

· Advances in Retail Technology to Drive Sales Growth

· Sustainability and/or Energy Conservation

Passion for Retail will be held on Monday 3rd October at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver.

Staffing for Success - FREE WEBINARS (limited space)

Registration is now available for Retail Council of Canada's online training series, Staffing for Success. Free registrations are available for the first 30 Shelfspace respondents per session. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to get critical HR training and skills. Space is limited – Email inquiry@shelfspace.ca with your Name, Company, Address, Phone and Email to register.

August 3, 3pm - Seamless Transitions for New Employees
Debbie Purchase, The HR Centre

Welcome new team members and integrate them into your business
Learn how to articulate your business' goals, values and guidelines to new members of your team;
Transition new employees into sales experts!

August 24, 3pm - Turning Skills into Sales
Kevin Graff, Graff Retail

Hone your team's sales skills in preparation for the holiday season;
Motivate, energize and engage new staff to sell;
Learn strategies to help you mentor your sales team to achieve your short and long-term goals.

RETAIL WATCH

TOP HEADLINES

Retail Trade Statistics for May 2011

Retail sales edged up 0.1% in May to $37.5 billion. Higher sales in 7 of 11 subsectors were mostly offset by declines at motor vehicle and parts dealers and at food and beverage stores.

Canadian consumers less confident
Consumer confidence in Canada fell for the third straight month in July as consumers expressed a growing unease about future job prospects

Canada's retail market now matches USA per capita
Canada's retail market now equals the American market on a per capita basis, according to Colliers International, as a surging Canadian dollar and increased spending draws U.S. retailers north.

ALBERTA NEWS

Albertans slow to increase spending

Alberta's robust economy is not causing shoppers to spend big. While new figures show Alberta leads all provinces in annual retail sales growth, evidence of lingering consumer fatigue has flattened the healthy pace of late 2010

Property tax system massively unfair to small business: CFIB
Small business owners in Alberta continue to pay far more than their fair share of municipal property taxes with Calgary as the ‘worst offender’ for cities, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

BRITISH COLUMBIA NEWS

Coquitlam tax gap frustrates business

Business owners in Coquitlam pay nearly five times as much property tax as residential owners for the same value property, the largest tax gap among the province’s 30 largest municipalities, says a business organization.

Good news for retailers: Hot weather expected in August
Environment Canada is predicting a hotter August than normal in B.C. and that's good news for retailers selling hot weather categories such as sunscreen, sunglasses, outdoor and gardening products, cameras, binoculars and air conditioners, says Retail Council of Canada vice president Shafiq Jamal.

Green consultations aim to save businesses money and energy
Like many small business owners, being energy-efficient wasn’t at the top of the list for Orca Book Publishers owner Andrew Wooldridge.