Topshelf News for November 1, 2011
INFORMATION, IDEAS & INSIGHTS FOR SHELFSPACE MEMBERS
November 1, 2011
TOPSHELF NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
RETAIL WATCH
TOPSHELF NEWS
B.C. Minimum Wage Increase Today
British Columbia's minimum wage increases today to $9.50 from $8.75.
Today's increase is the second this year and forms part of the three-part plan by Premier Christy clark to increase minimum wage to $10.25 on May 1st, 2012. Today's increase means B.C.'s wages are no longer the lowest in the country. Alberta now has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $9.40 per hour.
Livesmart Website Launched
The LiveSmart BC initiative for retailers has a brand new home on the web at www.retailsmart.ca. Retailers can now find all the information they need about the LiveSmart program on the new website, including a new Assessment Tool checklist that helps you determine whether your business is eligible for the LiveSmart program. This joint initiative from the BC Government and Shelfspace helps retailers ‘go green’ while also saving them time and money. LiveSmart gives qualified participants access to free energy assessments from an experience energy and lighting consultant, as well as advising how retailers can take advantage of cash rebates available to them for over 10,000 energy efficient products.
Payment Problems?
Looking for better service or lower rates from your payment provider?
Worried about new charges appearing on your statement?
In the current challenging market, many retailers are asking how they can get better service and cheaper rates from their payment provider.
Remember to examine your statements closely, and to contact your payment provider to clarify anything that you don’t understand. Payment providers are required to provide detailed information about your charges, and at least 90 days’ notice of any new fees, so remember to review all of the notices and letters that come from your provider.
Shelfspace can also help to give you an honest and un-biased overview of what is available, and can help merchants to understand their options if they are unhappy with their current provider. If you’d like to discuss your payment system and find out more about your options, please get in touch on 604-736-0368.
BuylocalCanada.ca Free 30 Day Trial
BuylocalCanada.ca has recently partnered up with Shelfspace to offer our members a free 30 day trial of the BuylocalCanada.ca.
BuylocalCanada.ca is a local search tool to find business, coupons, brands and jobs designed to provide results based on location. This is a great tool to connect local retailers with local customers instantly. View a personal message from Kori Handy, BuylocalCanada.ca founder, to our Shelfspace members.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BC Hospitality Expo - November 7 & 8, Vancouver Convention Centre
The BC Hospitality Expo is the Conference's central marketplace that showcases new products, services and trends that the hospitality industry has to offer to over 4,000 attendees. Over 250 exhibitors will come together to display thousands of goods and services. This is your time to shop, compare products and services and network with other industry professionals.
From bar stools to bed frames to breadsticks, it will all be there and more and you should be too!
Find out more
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RETAIL WATCH
TOP HEADLINES
Canadian retailers brace for Target's arrival
The popular discount department store operator plans to open up to 135 stores in Canada in 2013. Should Canadian retailers be worried?
Canadian retail sales rose in August
Retail sales in Canada rose a better-than-expected 0.5 per cent to $37.8 billion in August, suggesting that Canadian consumers have pretty much shrugged off a period of severe turbulence on financial markets.
Halloween prices should drop, next year
It's not just you. Those Halloween costumes really are more expensive in Canada than they are in the United States. Relief could be on the way after some large retailers lobbied to get a pricey import tariff on costumes eliminated — but not until next year.
ALBERTA
Calgary demand for new retail space 'unprecedented': Colliers
Demand for new retail space in Calgary has reached an ‘unprecedented’ level, says a report by Colliers International
Edmontonians love their pop-up stores, much like farmers' markets
Edmontonians in search of a good cup of coffee downtown could also get fitted for a custom suit, at least for a few days
BRITISH COLUMBIA
B.C. minimum wage to increase
Business owners are keeping a close eye on the hike in B.C.'s minimum hourly wage, which will increase to $9.50 this week.
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