How TikTok Shop Transforms Engagement into Sales For brands searching for ways to capture younger demographics, it’s hard to deny the allure of TikTok. No longer just a social media platform for short-form mobile videos, TikTok has evolved into a search engine and product discovery platform with over one billion monthly active users worldwide. The TikTok Shop, which seamlessly integrates shopping features into the TikTok platform, owes its success to TikTok’s unique blend of entertainment and e-commerce.  Many of our U.S. customers have found integrating TikTok Shop into their e-commerce ..read more

4 Innovative Strategies to Help Retailers Thrive in Uncertain Times While retailers may not be able to curb inflation, they can take advantage of the opportunities for growth.  In today’s challenging retail landscape, staying ahead of the game means seizing opportunities where others see challenges. Savvy retailers need to think outside the box to cater to changing consumer demands and market shifts. Here are four strategies that can help retailers thrive instead of just survive: 1. Invest in Lower-cost/Acquisition Advertising Channels Expand E-commerce Capabilities: With deal-hungry co ..read more

A Look at the Early Days of Supermarkets and Their Impact on Consumer Behaviour and Retail Strategies. Whether you buy your groceries online and have them delivered or shop in person at your local grocery store, there’s a clear level of convenience we all take for granted. From the vast selection of brands for each product to the multitude of departments available throughout the store, supermarkets have truly become a one-stop shop. Photo courtesy of Stockbyte / Jupiterimages “THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY: THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THERE.” From L.P. Hartley’s The Go-between But it hasn’t alw ..read more

Enhance your store’s layout and design with versatile shelving systems that last Finding or custom-building the perfect retail fixtures for your store is a delicate balance between affordability, durability, and maintaining or enhancing your brand’s atmosphere.  Considering that most retail fixtures last between 5 to 7 years, it’s important to make a choice that serves your store well over time. Let’s explore the four shelving systems you should know about, as each offers unique advantages depending on your store’s needs Gondola Shelving Systems: These are ideal for supermarkets, pharmac ..read more

Learn the Secrets Top Retailers Use to Maximize Profits With all of the focus on frictionless retail and popup shops, we have to ask: is there a place in the modern retail strategy for smart vending machines? The grandfather of the automated retail movement, the vending machine was the first ‘modern’ machine to appear in the early 1880s. Back then, coins went in and goods came out. Except for the increase in payment options, the concept hasn’t changed much. And why would it?  When it comes to convenience, the vending machine as a sales tool is still hard to beat. They provide added revenu ..read more

Transform Your Retail Space Quickly And Easily With Adaptable Retail Fixtures and Displays Did you know that 20+ years ago, you could get away with refreshing your space every 5-7 years? But now, creating environments that work for both today’s and tomorrow’s shoppers isn’t about having a crystal ball and hoping you can plan for the future; it’s about baking the need to adapt and change right into your retail operations strategy. Here are five tips for revamping your retail environment with ease: 1. Use Modular Fixtures Adaptable shelving and displays that can be easily reassembled and reconf ..read more

5 Retail Trends and Predictions for 2024 With another year of unforeseen challenges happily behind us, Canadian retailers have shifted their focus to 2024. While the future of retail remains unpredictable, retailers are encouraged to embrace technology and focus on the basics. To offer you the latest insights, we’ve released an unfiltered discussion with Bud Morris. Known for his candid style, Bud shares his perspectives on the leading retail design-build trends that evolved in 2023 and are expected to shape the retail landscape in 2024. In this talk, Bud Morris shares the latest info on Why ..read more

Your Holiday Reading List As we approach the end of the year, let’s take a break from the struggles of 2023 and explore some of the more outrageous success stories and strategies we’ve read about over the years. These entrepreneurs and business leaders prove that just because the idea is crazy, it doesn’t mean it won’t work. BOTTLED AIR VitalityAir founders Moses Lam and Troy Paquette have made $300K/year capturing, compressing and commercializing fresh air. That’s right, not only have they found a way to take clean pristine air and move it from one part of the world to the other, but they’ve ..read more

Canada’s Leading Retailers Weigh In We’ve seen the data, read the headlines and the news is not good.  Retail sales have hit the lowest levels since 2021 lockdowns Retailers are strategizing to combat organized retail crime Police presence increases in Toronto stores during the holiday season How are retailers expected to face these challenges and come out ahead? Or at the very least, stay afloat? We asked senior executives at Canada’s leading retailers what we should be doing right now. Here’s what they said. #1: UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS NEED VS. WHAT THEY WANT It’s imperative th ..read more

How Retailers are Using Store Tours to Boost Their Business Growth. If you’re struggling to remain competitive in today’s retail environment, it may be time to step out of your comfort zone and think of more creative ways to create lasting experiences for your customers. Safari, anyone? A retail safari takes businesses or individuals on guided tours to explore the retail landscape in various cities. Also referred to as a retail store tour, its goal is for participants to observe and understand retail trends, innovative store designs, and customer behaviours in real-world settings. What Makes R ..read more