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September 15, 2014 Volume
xx, #34
“It is better to spend money like there’s no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there’s no money.” —P.J. O’Rourke (American journalist, author and political satirist, 1947- )
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 THE HARDLINES WORLD HEADQUARTERS HAS MOVED!
We just moved out of our office at 360 Dupont over the weekend. Our new office isn't quite ready yet. So, in the meantime we will be working from our home offices and are still available by phone and email. Starting October 6th, the new Hardlines World Headquarters will operate from: 528 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A 1V2.
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Canadian Tire rolls out loyalty program nationally
Allan MacDonald, COO of Canadian Tire, presents the retailer’s online loyalty program, “e-Canadian Tire Money,” at a press conference in Toronto.
TORONTO — After testing a loyalty program for more than two years in Nova Scotia, Canadian Tire has finally announced its intention to roll out the program nationally.
Canadian Tire has long been a pioneer of loyalty programs, introducing its Canadian Tire “money” in 1958 as a way to keep customers coming back to its stores. Now, the program is moving online, complete with its own app that lets customers collect points. The program will launch officially in Nova Scotia on October 10, then roll out nationally on October 28.
The digital rewards program will complement paper Canadian Tire money, which will remain in circulation. Canadian Tire has even launched its own mobile app to enable customers to collect, redeem, and manage their Canadian Tire money. In turn, the giant retailer hopes to start tracking the shopping habits of its customers, to personalize promotions and communications.
With the new system, customers can collect the e-Canadian Tire money electronically on qualifying purchases in stores—including Mark's, Sport Chek, PartSource, and L’Equipeur—as well as online and at participating gas bars. When purchases are made with a Canadian Tire Options MasterCard, customers can collect 10 times the amount of e-Canadian Tire money.
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Hot retail trends will be presented at Hardlines Conference
WORLD HEADQUARTERS, Toronto — The latest merchandising trends is always the topic most requested by our delegates at the annual Hardlines Conference. This year’s conference speakers will deliver that—in spades—including no less than the association that follows the latest trends worldwide:
Retail Trends that Inspire: A Global Tour. Jo Rossman leads programs at the Retail & Design Center at the Association for Retail Environments and leads the association’s DREAM Team, a think tank of retail design stars.
Meeting the Challenge of Today’s Omni-Channel Consumer. Robert Howard, partner with Kurt Salmon, has a great insight into the online and in-store retail customer experience, and he delivers that insight with energy, insight, and humour. This session is guaranteed to help you see more clearly the relationship between bricks and mortar and the burgeoning world of e-commerce. Robert will find connections within today’s retail environment that are guaranteed to surprise and edify you.
An Update on Canada’s Changing Housing Market. Ted Tsiakopoulos, Regional Economist for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is our go-to guy for housing data. He will present the latest numbers on Canada’s housing market and the trends influencing those numbers. Ted’s information is always fresh—and his style is lively and accessible. We’re delighted to have him back at this year’s Conference!
Vision Critical: An interactive workshop. Donald Cooper, of Donald Cooper Corp., will conduct a special intensive workshop with our conference delegates. Why should you attend? Donald transforms businesses–and business people. He will challenge you about your notions of customer service and your own ability to achieve excellence in your job. Guaranteed to be an inspiring and energizing start to the Conference!
We look forward to Donald and all our speakers at the 19th Annual Hardlines Conference, October 22-23 at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, 801 Dixon Road, Toronto. Click here for full details and to register now!
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Canada included in Home Depot security breach
ATLANTA — A suspected security breach of Home Depot’s customer database has been confirmed by the company, after an investigation of its payment data systems. According to a message on its website, the breach could “potentially impact any customer that has used their payment card at our U.S. and Canadian stores, from April forward.” The breach does not appear to have affected stores in Mexico or customers who shopped online at HomeDepot.com.
The message goes on to apologize “for the frustration and anxiety this causes our customers.”
Home Depot’s IT team has been working “round the clock” since the breach took place to counter the malware and protect customer data. The company insists that customers who are victims of any fraudulent charges to their accounts won’t be liable. In addition, the retailer is offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to any customer who has shopped at a Home Depot store from April on.
Responding to the increasing threat of cyber-attacks on the retail industry, Home Depot previously confirmed it will roll out EMV "Chip and PIN" to all U.S. stores by the end of this year.
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Canadian Tire Showroom features first drive-through
TORONTO —Canadian Tire opened a one-of-a-kind retail “showroom” store in the spring, at its Laird and Eglinton location in Toronto, that will provide an opportunity to showcase seasonal assortments.
The 20,000-square-foot showroom here was born of necessity; the existing store across the parking lot was “bursting at the seams,” says David Hicks, senior vice-president, store operations and dealer relations for Canadian Tire. But he also notes that the model is being scrutinized by head office, “to see if it can be used in other stores.” The focus is on seasonal products. In mid-August, it was filled with patio sets, log splitters, and barbecues. By mid-October, the space will be filled with Christmas products and fireplace accessories.
While the showroom is being viewed by head office as a one-off, one aspect of this space is definitely getting a lot of attention. It has a drive-through pick-up area. “I think this drive-through is something we’ve learned from—expect to see it in other environments,” Hicks adds.
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Giant outdoor living show draws 100-plus countries
COLOGNE, Germany — Visitors from around the world gathered here recently for spoga+gafa, the world’s largest lawn, garden, and outdoor living trade fair. And the numbers show it was a popular event, with 36,000 attendees from more than 100 counties who came to see trends, technology, and more in the lawn and garden and outdoor living.
The show consisted of five product categories: garden creation (tools, plants and flowers), garden living (furniture, décor and grills), garden care (machines and tools), garden basic (inexpensive garden products), and garden unique (premium garden furniture).
Trends in grilling included portable grills, which are easy to pack up for camping trips or tailgating, and grills that are multifunctional, with separate burners that allow users to cook their meat or fish and vegetables at the same time.
And when it comes to outdoor living and gardening, colour is everything. While neutrals remain popular, many displays at spoga+gafa showcased a variety of bright colours, which allow consumers to customize their décor by selecting what best fits in their colour palette. Purple is an especially popular colour this year, available in both brighter and softer shades.
As for materials, wicker continues to be popular, as does plastic and aluminum. Consumers are also interested in furniture that multitasks, such as a chair that features a tray for food.
Technology also has its place: high-tech products, such as a wheelbarrow with a small motor that that makes it easier to carry loads up and down hills, and the flowerpot that contains an indicator keeping track of when a plant needs more water, are becoming more popular.
spoga+gafa 2015 will be held August 30-September 1 in Cologne. For more information, visit spogagafa.com .
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Classified Ads
Fusion Products Limited
Position: Inside Sales Support Associate
Fusion Products Ltd. is a leading supplier of solar garden lighting to the Canadian marketplace, with head office in Mississauga, Ontario. This candidate will focus on Home Improvement retailers in specific regions to promote our products, develop new business, support agents, provide product knowledge to retail associates and work industry trade shows. Bilingual (French/English) and experience in the hardware industry would be an asset. Competitive compensation package offered.
To apply for this exciting employment opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter to: zaf@fusionproducts.ca
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At CGC Inc. we go the distance to provide The Better Way. Delivering building solutions for customers worldwide is our goal. Relationships are our foundation. Integrity, Dependability and Innovation are the standards by which we live.
CGC Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of USG Corp., is a leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of gypsum wallboard products, interior finishing material and suspended acoustical ceilings. With locations around the world, CGC and USG have the resources, plants, products and people to build walls, ceilings and careers.
We are currently seeking to fill the opening of: Manager, Technical Solutions and Quality.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 10 years of experience in building science, engineering, architecture or related field
- Post-secondary education in building science, engineering, architecture or a construction related discipline. Designation as a P.Eng., C.E.T., or C.T.R preferred
- In-depth knowledge of building materials, constructions processes, cladding, and roof systems
Valid driver's license and clean driving record
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Excellent public speaking skills to present professionally to groups of all sizes.
- Bilingual - English / French an asset
- Overnight travel required up to 25%
This challenging position offers a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits package, a company auto and the potential for an annual bonus.
Interested applicants may find out more and apply by clicking here.
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Director, Retail Sales- Schlage
Leading a national team of sales professionals, the Director of Retail Sales, controls and directs all activities of the retail sales organization, ensures development of retail programmes to attain planned sales, productivity and budget compliance. Driving profitable growth through best in class category leadership, account management and flawless execution against our strategic plan
- Directs the domestic retail sales activities including, Big Box, LBM and e-Commerce
- Exercises management and sales initiatives which ensure that a competitive position is maintained within the market.
- Directs sales planning and provides input to market research activities.
- Reviews sales and forecasts.
- Makes recommendations for new products and changes in existing products
Experience
- Minimum 10 years related experience in retail or consumer packaged goods environment Big Box DYI preferred
- 5-10 years’ of progressive sales experience
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior position leading a sales team
- University degree preferred or an equivalent degree in a field of study related to the position
For more information about this position visit http://careers.allegion.com/ for more details.
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