Canadian Retailer - Summer 2016 - 4

GUEST PUBLISHER'S DESK

Grocers catering to
today's connected
consumer
EATING is not an option. But what and how we eat is changing. And

there is no clearer reflection of this reality than in what we are seeing
in the Grocery sector.
Grocers, like other retailers, are innovating. Understanding today's
social grocery shopper on page 12, and The grocery aisle disrupted
on page 16, both explore how technology and social engagement
is changing the experience of buying our everyday essentials. The
exciting new opportunities for Grocery in introducing new foods,
products and experiences that can satisfy changing demographics
and consumer behaviour is discussed on page 22, Delighting the new
Canadian Palate.
Not only are digital platforms adding convenience to our increasingly time-starved lives, but retailers and manufactures are collaborating to bring genuine innovation to Grocery. The world at our
doorstep on page 30 identifies critical learnings grocers need to pay
attention to if they are to succeed in the years ahead. It's no longer
about bridging the gap between physical and digital grocery assets;
it's about creating an enhanced overall grocery shopping experience that will be judged as remarkable by each consumer on their
own terms.
New services and products are being created to meet changing
demands and help us achieve a healthier balance. And with new
products has come new labelling requirements. RCC's respected
team of advocates across Canada have been aggressively working
with governments to ensure fairer and more transparent legislation
on the proposed changes to nutrition tables and labelling requirements. RCC advocates for all retailers-small, medium and large-
and our particular grocery-focussed efforts are outlined on page 8.
Some of the work that we've been championing includes a massive
overhaul of food safety regulations labelling and requirements,
GMO labelling, animal welfare requirements as well as efforts focussed on broad retail issues such as credit card fees, store operations and labour issues.
Grocery stores are increasingly functioning as integrated community support hubs where consumers discover, buy and learn how
to eat better and live more fully. Championing for a strong Grocery
sector benefits everyone living in Canada. And Retail Council of
Canada is proud to be part of this future.

Dave Wilkes
Senior Vice-President, Government Relations and Grocery Division
Retail Council of Canada

SUMMER 2016 | VOLUME 26 ISSUE 3

publisher

Diane J. Brisebois
a s s o c i at e p u b l i s h e r

Michael LeBlanc

senior director of marketing
a n d c o m m u n i c at i o n s

Branka Stavric

editor-in- chief

Sean C. Tarry
(416) 922-6678, ext. 286
starry@retailcouncil.org
art direction

Scope Media
www.scopemedia.ca
contributors

Jesse Donaldson, Andrew Hind, Ken Mark,
Robert Price, Randy Scotland
d i r e c t o r o f p u b l i c at i o n s

Angela Caroyannis
acaroyannis@naylor.com
project manager

Kim Davies
kdavies@naylor.com
sales manager

Bill McDougall
bmcdougall@naylor.com
editorial office

1881 Yonge Street, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario M4S 3C4
Phone: (416) 922-6678 | Fax: (416) 922-8011
www.retailcouncil.org
a d v e r t i s i n g/ p r o d u c t i o n o f f i c e

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Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3X1
Phone: (800) 665-2456 | Fax: (800) 709-5551
www.naylor.com
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CANADIAN RETAILER | SUMMER 2016

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Summer 2016