CANADIAN RETAILER Spring 2013 Canadian Retail 2013 and the Arrival of Target The arrival of Target comes at an exciting time for Canadian retail as the market continues to evolve and present new opportunities. Read about target's role in an ever-changing Canadian retail landscape. Page 16 FEATURES RCC: GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12 THE EVOLUTION OF CUSTOMER SERVICE A lot has changed within the retail industry over the past 50 years. How have the skills of the retail associate and the habits and preferences of the Canadian consumer changed? COVER FEATURE 16 THE TARGET IMPACT does its arrival mean, Target has arrived. What RETAIL TRENDS SHOWROOMING 36 UNPACKING leveraging this latest trend to Retailers are differentiate their in-store experience and capitalize on increased customer traffic. Find out what some retailers are doing, and to what effect. MEMBER PROFILE 40 SUPPLEMENTING FOR SUCCESS IN THE CANADIAN MARKET Understanding the terrain of a new market is vital to a successful expansion. Read how Vitapath also leverage passionate employees for a more valued customer experience. and what is its role in the country’s ever-changing retail industry? CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 22 THE RISKS OF NEGLECTING THE IN-STORE EXPERIENCE Technology combined with passionate people, are the keys to wowing customers today. Read how some retailers are leveraging both to enhance the in-store customer experience. SPECIAL ONLINE FEATURE 44 LAURA CANADA'S BOLD JUMP INTO E-COMMERCE The women's apparel provider is helping set a new standardfor multi-channel retailing in Canada. MYSTORE: RETAILER'S GUIDE 27 MENTORING TOMORROW’S TALENT Mentoring leads to better employee retention rates and employees who feel more valued. Learn how to design and implement a full-scale mentorship program for greater employee engagement and success. MYSTORE 32 RECRUITING TOP TALENT FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS Finding the right retail associate can represent the difference between significantly varying degrees of success for independent retailers. Some across the country are approaching HR with innovation to attract the best. DEPARTMENTS 4 6 47 48 PUBLISHER’S DESK RETAIL CURRENTS ADVERTISER'S INDEX RETAIL QUICK TIPS ON THE COVER Artwork by Scope Media ON THE COVER Artwork by Scope Media www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer | spring 2013 | canadian retailer | 3http://www.retailcouncil.org/cdnretailer