Topshelf News for February 1, 2012
INFORMATION, IDEAS & INSIGHTS FOR SHELFSPACE MEMBERS
February 1, 2012
TOPSHELF NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
RETAIL WATCH
TOPSHELF NEWS
Discounted Tickets for Shelfspace Members:
"Customer Loyalty or Disloyalty? The Challenges for Retailers"
Lunch Presentation and Panel Discussion presented by Retail Advertising and Marketing Club Canada (RAC)
February 22, 2012 - 11am to 1.30pm, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
To explore the challenges of customer loyalty in Canada, RAC has invited a panel of retailers from a variety of sectors to share their perspectives and strategies on how to keep customers loyal and engaged. Click here for more information.
Shelfspace Members receive a special discounted price of $95 plus HST (save $40). To register complete the Registration Form and return to Shelfspace via fax 1-877-222-9933 or email inquiry@shelfspace.ca.
Introducing the Workplace Training Program: Retail
Shelfspace has a long history of delivering top quality training and education to retail employees and owners. The Workplace Training Program Retail project allows us to work with community colleges across British Columbia to provide basic training for the retail sector.
We are working with The Training Group at Douglas College to develop training for new and developing employees. The training is free to eligible employees and will give these employees a firm grounding in the essential skills of retail, focusing on customer-service and selling. The project is funded by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
A group of our successful retail members are adding their experience and knowledge to make sure that The Workplace Training Program: Retail project reflects the reality of the retail industry, and draws on the best practices of successful businesses. We have also asked industry expert Ted Topping to help to design the training. Members who attended Ted?s workshop at Passion for Retail in October told us that they liked his passion and knowledge.
This is a great opportunity for the retail industry and over the next few months, you may receive a phone call or email from representatives of the local Colleges involved in the project. They will be giving you information about the type of training available and if it would suit your employees. However, if you would like to find out more information now please do not hesitate to contact us, here at Shelfspace.
Brandspank Online Marketing Boost Winner Announcement
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Holiday Retailing
Survey and entered the draw to win a free Online Marketing Boost from Brandspank.
Our lucky winner was Lisa Arthurs from Quick Nickel! Lisa has chosen a Social Media Campaign as her prize ($5,000 value).
Thank you to Brandspank for offering such a great opportunity for members to improve their Online Marketing. If you are interested in giving your business a Brandspank market boost, visit www.brandspank.net
UPCOMING EVENTS
Vancouver Gift Expo - February 12-13, 2012
Your chance to see Canada's top wholesalers displaying new & unique products for your spring and summer selling seasons!
L ocation: PNE Forum Building, Vancouver
www.vancouvergiftexpo.com/
Alberta Gift Show - February 19-22, 2012
Alberta Gift Show 2012 is brings together the finest mix of products and services to create a convenient, relaxed, efficient and cost-effective buying environment.
Location: Northlands, Edmonton
www.cgta.org
Recreation Industry Awards of Excellence - May 10, 2012
R
etailers are invited to participate and nominate their businesses for the "Innovation in Recreation Products & Retailing" Category for the Recreation Industry Awards of Excellence. Nominations close March 19, 2012.
Location: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Calgary
www.recreationforlife.org/awards
back to top
RETAIL WATCH
TOP HEADLINES
The click of heels: How online shopping is changing the face of fashion
Online shopping for fashion is no longer about deals. Now, it's driven by convenience and personalization.
Retail sales increase in November
Retail sales in November rose for a fourth consecutive month, increasing 0.3% to $38.7 billion. Gains were reported in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 65% of total retail sales.
Canada rethinks strip malls
Strip malls -- once anchors of postwar North American suburban neighborhoods -- are doomed, with thousands across Canada and the United States already derelict and eyed by land developers.
BRITISH COLUMBIA NEWS
Businesses need to lobby for more exemptions, credits when PST returns
British Columbia business owners who liked the HST will have to learn to live without it, and a panel speaking at the Vancouver Board of Trade Tuesday had some suggestions for easing the loss.
Metro Vancouver's retail landscape evolves with Chinese immigration
While activities surrounding Spring Festival, as it’s known in China, are a major economic generator – bigger than Christmas for many businesses — it’s also a time to reflect on how Chinatown and other Asian-themed shopping areas have grown and prospered as the face of Asian immigration changes.
ALBERTA NEWS
Alberta small business confidence strongest in Canada
Alberta’s entrepreneurs remain the most confident in Canada, more than eight points higher than the national index which increased by a marginal 0.2 points in January to 65.2.
back to top
