The handshake has many different meanings depending on the context, but the most common gesture is one of reciprocity and mutual understanding. Opinion- The novel coronavirus pandemic has business leaders around the world rethinking how they manage their jobs. Although not among the most important topics of discussion right now, one lingering issue is that of the traditional handshake. Since close contact with other people is a proven vector of disease transmission, this common practice could go extinct with the passing of the outbreak. But should it? While others are bandying about new way ..read more

-Opinion There is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic will change business as we know it for some time. But one sector that is facing unique challenges is the retail industry which was already facing an uphill battle in its fight for survival with online outlets. ' That’s all about to become a lot more difficult as retail shopping is likely to be one of the many social activities that completely changes for the foreseeable future due to the pandemic and its impact. tailor their business to the new reality. 1. Deploy an Agile Business Strategy The first thing that retailers need to do whe ..read more

OPINION BLOG: There’s little doubt about the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to change daily life not only for travel and work but also for retail and marketplaces as well. While we are still only in the “beginning of the end” so to speak, as the virus’ rate of reproduction and spread declines, the economic devastation left in its wake has many questioning not just what this future will look like but whether many firms even have a tomorrow. Of particular concern are the Bloor Street luxury shops that cater to a high-end clientele with excessive amounts of disposable income. Will thes ..read more

One thing is certain: The world will not be the same after the COVID-190 pandemic passes - whenever that may be. Herein also lies the central problem presented by the novel coronavirus outbreak for business and economic forecasters: No one knows where we go from here and that uncertainty is not only a historical first but also a terrifying new reality for many businesses.   When it comes to retail, particularly those stores that are dependent upon brick-and-mortar sales, are especially concerned about the shape of the new economy post-COVID-19. While it is pretty clear that new guideline ..read more

EATALY SET TO MAKE STRONG PRESENCE IN TORONTO   Eataly is about to make a strong presence in Toronto with a 50,000 square feet store in the Manulife Centre. Opening November 13th, the city will be talking about just one thing, and that will be Eataly Toronto. This will become a favorite location for both residents and tourists coming into the city.   Eataly Toronto has redefined specialty retail, and Toronto is about to have a feel of what that is. Eataly is all about giving people what they want, all in place. Unlike a food hall, Eataly will introduce a combination of a restaurant a ..read more

Pop-Ups Keep Popping Up! Pop-ups address the new consumer’s desire for convenience, discounts, and fast fulfillment. Also known as ‘flash retail,’ pop-up stores have evolved beyond their initial premise of springing up temporarily to take advantage of trends or seasonal products to become a highly effective method for brands to connect and engage key customer groups, as well as to generate excitement, awareness, and even longer-lasting impressions through ‘buzz.’ Because they are temporary, the need to see these is urgent.     Retailers like these opportunities to test ..read more

Despite increased e-commerce activity in Canada (notably by Amazon), a smaller market, less competition and a more stable retail environment have resulted in the level and rate of closures in the nation being lower than what is being experienced in the U.S. this year. In many cases, U.S. parent companies, while shutting a large number of stores in America, have announced none or only a few in Canada, often as a result of better sales performance. One notable recent exception to that trend: Sears Canada, which in October said it would seek court approval to liquidate all of its remaining s ..read more