INFORMATION, IDEAS & INSIGHTS FOR SHELFSPACE MEMBERS
February 1, 2011
A Message from Mark Startup, CEO
The Retail Space Is Rapidly Changing – Don’t Be Left Behind!
BC Small Appliance Recycling Program April 1, 2011
Upcoming Shelfspace Events 2011
A Message from Mark Startup, CEO
2011 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for retailers. How will the extraordinary developments on the political landscape in BC and Alberta affect retailers in the year to come?
The resignations of Ed Stelmach in Alberta and Gordon Campbell in BC have triggered a new wave of economic and labour policy promises by would-be new leaders. Watch out for an increase to the minimum wage and possibly a new statutory holiday in BC. We have yet to hear from leadership contenders in Alberta on the carrots they’ll dangle and the promises they’ll make to attract voters.
While PST-free Alberta retailers watch from the other side of the mountains, BC retailers are in for a tumultuous year on the taxation front. Rather than getting rid of the HST (and the obligation to return $1.6 billion to the federal government), wouldn’t it be better to lower the rate from 12% to 10%? If the HST is extinguished, will the PST be re-instated exactly as it was before July, 2010? Retailers who support the elimination of the HST should be careful what they ask for because I fear that the BC Liberals will re-instate the anti-investment and inequitable PST. If the PST is re-instated, should retailers be lobbying for a lower rate in exchange for the elimination of complicated exemptions?
Retailers in BC and Alberta continue to pay a higher share of commercial property tax based on the simple and short-sighted notion that businesses can afford to pay more and there are fewer business voters at municipal election time. I believe retailers across Canada should be calling for reforms in commercial property tax that would result in a more equitable distribution of the burden by commercial and residential taxpayers.
To join in the discussion, please visit our RETAIL OUTLOOK blog
Sincerely,
Mark Startup
The Retail Space Is Rapidly Changing – Don’t Be Left Behind!!
Shelfspace’s PEAK Training and Development launches new PEAK Speaker Series!
– New webinar: Social Media for Retailers by Soya Marketing
It’s hard enough keeping up with consumer trends and demands let alone keeping on top of the business. At the end of the day, we’ve all got a lot on our plate and we’re watching where every dollar is spent and so are our customers. How will we manage to get ahead?
Shelfspace realizes that time is a luxury for the independent retailer and we’re here to help you find ways to spend it wisely. We know it takes time to research and select which new opportunities, methods, technologies and other ways will improve us as retailers. The good news is that we’ve done some of the leg work for you!
In 2010, we focused on providing workshops for entry-level to intermediate participants wishing to make retail their profession of choice. By completing the workshops, participants are positioned for success in Customer Service, Sales and Owner/Manager Development. This makes it easier for hiring managers to identify quality candidates and increase productivity within a short timeframe.
Based on participant feedback and the needs of the retail community, we are pleased to introduce the next level in training and development – the PEAK Speaker Series for retail decision makers!
We have asked our Associate members and other experts in the retail space to share their passion by providing retail-specific informative presentations that will save you time and money! We are researching and developing presentations in the areas of:
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Marketing
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Finance
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Inventory Management
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e-Commerce
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Succession Planning
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Recruitment
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Technology
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Design and Display
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and more!
We realize that it’s sometimes difficult to come out to an event due to time and geographical restraints and so the PEAK Speaker Series will have both webinar and seminar formats for greater flexibility.
Our first PEAK Speaker will be Soya Marketing, experts in Social Media Storytelling for Retailers. In this two-part webinar, Soya Marketing will enlighten participants on how to get their retail story told to the world and how to execute their storytelling strategy.
BONUS!
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BC Small Appliance Recycling Program April 1, 2011
In order to meet the BC Recycling Regulation requirements, the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA) has created the BC Small Appliance Recycling Program.
CESA is a not-for-profit Product Stewardship Agency recently incorporated by the manufacturers/brand owners of small appliances who are members of the Canadian Association of Appliance Manufacturers (CAMA), the Canadian Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association (CHHMA) and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
The BC Recycling Regulation requires “producers” (often brand owners or first importers of products including retailers) of portable and floor care appliances to have an approved product stewardship program in place by April 1, 2011. Products included in the BC Small Appliance Recycling Program are listed at www.cesarecycling.ca/products.
As the start date of this program is coming up soon, CESA encourages potential members to sign up as soon as possible.
If you have questions, or need more information, visit www.cesarecycling.ca or contact Jenny Gosal at memberservices@cesarecycling.ca or 1-877-670-2372 extension 205.
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UPCOMING SHELFSPACE EVENTS 2011
To find more events visit our Events calendar today!
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