Sales rose in six of eight major categories Statistics Canada tracks, including a 2.5 percent increase at clothing stores and a 1.3 percent increase for food and beverages. The New York Times (Aug. 21, 2008)
The bookseller was up against a tough comparisons with last July’s release of the final installment in the “Harry Potter” series. Despite the drop, B&N beat analysts’ expectations. The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 21, 2008) Paid subscription may be required.
Currently about 25% of Loblaw’s produce is sourced locally, that is about to change. Loblaw is looking to promote their home-grown produce. In-store signage will also focus on their produce offerings. The Globe & Mail
Montreal’s Metro grocery chain will soon undertake a rebranding.  Starting next month, Metro will spend $200 Million converting it’s various banners in Metro outlets. The move, which will spell the end to its well-established A&P and Dominion banners – acquired three years ago – follows moves by competitors in the supermarket sector to sharpen their [...]
July 22, 2008 — Wal-Mart called for rigorous, “bottom up” distribution practices as a key means of achieving its 50-percent efficiency goal for the magazine category in a memorandum sent to single copy supply chain partners last Friday. The memo appears in its entirety below.
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To: All National Distributors and Publishers
From Christy Jenkins
Subject: Magazine Bottom Up [...]
Independent newsstands seem to be a throwback from a bygone retail era.  In Victoria (BC), City Hall News despite competition from a nearby Chapters superstore and a shifting demograhic base has managed to have their customers keep coming back.Â
The Globe & Mail
Empire Company Ltd., owner of the Sobeys grocery chain, has announced a 4th Q2007 profit of $66.5-million, up from $64.8-million for the 4thQ 2006.Â
The Canadian Press
Workers at Vancouver’s Save On Foods have voted 58% to reject a new contract offer from the Overwaitea Food Group (owned by Jim Pattison). Union representatives covering 27 stores from the Chilliwack to Squamish regions, will issue a 72 hour perishable goods notice today. Perishable notices are issued in order to give the company time to deal with [...]
Open up those wallets! Last Week, the average price of Canadian gas rose by 2.3 Cents Per litre ($.087 per U.S. Gallon). The new National average is$1.384 per Litre.   (Equivelent = CDN $5.238 Per US Gallon).
The National Post
Early indicators suggest that Canadian retail sales from the 2nd quarter will keep the country’s economy out of recession. Many economists feel that the latest figures will help the economy avoid a second negative quarter.
The Toronto Star